Addressing a press conference in Indore during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Monday, Congress leader avoided to show any reaction to the escalating rift between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot
Team Clarion
BHOPAL — Amid the power tussle in Rajasthan between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that both leaders were assets to the party.
He made this remark while addressing a press conference in Indore during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Monday. He also said that the tussle between the two Congress leaders will not affect his foot march.
“It will not affect the yatra and both the leaders are assets to the Congress party,” Rahul said to a question on different statements being given by Gehlot and Pilot, according to media reports.
Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Pilot are at loggerheads over the leadership position, with Pilot seeking to replace him and the chief minister saying that there is no indication of a change in leadership in Rajasthan.
Congress’ communications head Jairam Ramesh speaking to reporters in Indore reportedly said that the party is looking for a compromise between the two leaders and added that Congress will not shy away from taking ‘tough decisions’ to strengthen the organisation.
“Gehlot is our senior and experienced leader while Pilot is an energetic, young, and popular leader. The Congress needs both these leaders,” Ramesh said.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is in Madhya Pradesh right now, will enter Rajasthan on December 4, as per the schedule.
While responding to the Congress MLAs who shifted to the BJP that had resulted in the collapse of Kamal Nath government in 2020 in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi said they should not be given a place in the party again.
“Though, it is up to the Madhya Pradesh leadership to decide on this subject, but it is my personal belief that those MLAs who have taken money from the BJP to dissolve the Congress government should not be given the place again. It is my personal view, because they have been bought by the BJP, then they are not trustable,” Gandhi added.
During the press conference, he was also asked to share his opinion on 10 per cent reservation for general category, however, Gandhi maintained that at present, he has turned complete focus on Bharat Jodo Yatra, and not any other political issue. “It may be that I will answer this question later, but at present my complete focus is on how to complete this Bharat Jodo Yatra.”
Rahul Gandhi also said that he was not thinking about the party or any political issue during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. “Will Bharat Jodo Yatra have any impact on Congress? And at what level? I am not thinking about all these issues. I am not even thinking about the Congress. I am walking around 25 km every day, meeting with people and listening to them and I have made my complete focus on the yatra only,” Gandhi added.
— With inputs from IANS
Cover photo: Rahul Gandhi with supporters during ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ at Barauli in Morena district on Monday. — Twitter
