Sachin should focus on the ongoing fight against the BJP
The Sunday Mail
Jaipur: Breaking his silence after four years, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot clarified his stance in response to recurring questions. The prevailing perception had been that Gehlot rejected the Congress presidency out of a desire to remain Chief Minister, but that was not the case. Gehlot explained in detail what actually transpired at the time. While expressing deep respect for the Gandhi family—acknowledging that they had given him a great deal, including three terms as CM and key party roles—he noted that certain individuals had damaged his public image through a malicious media campaign. Gehlot asserted that a person from Rajasthan is incapable of rebellion, as it is simply not in their nature. He maintained that the MLAs did not stage a rebellion on September 25, 2022; rather, they expressed their displeasure regarding a decision made by the party high command. Gehlot explained that as the Leader of the House at the time, anything he said would have invited scrutiny; he had personally and publicly apologized to the high command for the MLAs’ discontent. Gehlot emphasized that the country is currently in a worrying state, with democracy under threat. He suggested that it would be best for everyone—whether Sachin Pilot or any other leader—to set aside differences and stand united, shoulder-to-shoulder, in the battle being waged by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi; only then can democracy be preserved. Other issues can be resolved later.
Gehlot’s statements have sparked significant discussion within the Congress party. The public is beginning to understand how a false narrative was used to tarnish his image.
Here is what Gehlot told the media: He noted that detractors frequently make snide remarks about the “Manesar” incident. He emphasized that this is an internal family matter and that they would resolve any misunderstandings through mutual dialogue. I have laid out the facts as they are, and I will continue to do so. Neither I nor any other leader could possibly have rebelled against the High Command on September 25, 2022. The events of that day were directed against the very person whose name was being floated for the Chief Minister’s post—Mr. Pilot. His own supporters had circulated this idea and created an atmosphere that caused anxiety among the MLAs. Consequently, about a hundred of them gathered. Their stance was that if Gehlot were to become the party president, the new Chief Minister should be chosen from among their own ranks. This was because these very MLAs had demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the High Command during the crisis facing the Congress government in 2020. They did not accept Sachin Pilot because he had attempted to topple the government back in 2020. It is worth noting that had there truly been a rebellion, I would not be the Chief Minister today. Gehlot points out that this was a rare instance where 90 MLAs refused to back the incoming Chief Minister—even though MLAs are known to switch loyalties instantly; there are many precedents where legislators have changed sides the moment a name is announced from Delhi.
No one knew anything, yet it was proclaimed that a revolt had taken place. But how did a revolt actually happen? If a hundred people said, “We supported the High Command and saved the government—any one of us could have been made Chief Minister,” what was wrong with that statement? Gehlot says that after this incident, he went to Delhi and personally apologized to his leader, Sonia Gandhi, because he was the leader of the legislative party at the time. “I have immense respect for Sonia Gandhi because she appointed me Chief Minister three times without me ever asking for the position. Sonia-ji appointed me in 1998 and then for a second term in 2008. For the third term, Rahul Gandhi-ji, Sonia-ji, and Priyanka-ji collectively appointed me Chief Minister.” Gehlot adds, “I was on the verge of becoming the Congress President. I am not uneducated; I am well-educated. Why do the media harbor this misconception? Even if I were uneducated, they might have said so—but Kamaraj-ji was uneducated, and yet he served as Congress President. I am not uneducated. I realize the significance of the Congress President’s post—a position held by Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Motilal Nehru, and Sardar Patel; who hasn’t held it? How could I have declined such a position, especially when Sonia Gandhi was offering me that honor? I simply could not have refused. However, certain people created a situation that prevented me from becoming the President. I believe a major conspiracy was at play. Observers suddenly arrived from Delhi, a spectacle ensued, and I ended up bearing the brunt of the disrepute. Sachin Pilot ought to understand this as well. He has been in politics for about 15–20 years and has gained considerable experience. None of us are his enemies; we have held affection for him since childhood. We would be happy if the media reported the truth.” However, the media keeps speculating about Sachin—sometimes making him the Congress National President, other times a Prime Ministerial candidate; at times claiming he is set to become the Congress Working President, the General Secretary (Organization), or the PCC President. I do not know why they are so fixated on Pilot *sahab*. Gehlot says, “I salute social media; I salute the role social media is playing during this time of crisis. Democracy is in danger, and the primary role in protecting it lies not with mainstream media but with social media. Yet, the people involved [in mainstream media] are unaware of the ground reality; they keep churning out new stories, but to no avail. Ultimately, it is Pilot *sahab* who suffers the greatest harm from this.”
Gehlot adds, “One journalist even went so far as to write: ‘Why does Sonia Gandhi regard Rahul Gandhi as her son? Why doesn’t she consider Sachin Pilot her son?’ Is this journalism? They talk like this—just imagine where they are leading the country. That is why I would urge Pilot *sahab* to accept the truth; after all, humans make mistakes—I could make one too. If he made a mistake, he should simply acknowledge it. Back then, the moment I stepped out of the hotel in Jaisalmer, I had said, ‘Forget and forgive.’ Had Sachin Pilot understood my sentiment that very day, he too would have adopted the ‘forget and forgive’ approach. We still meet, share a laugh, and converse; there is no personal animosity between us. He simply hasn’t learned to accept the truth, which is why this issue persists. Six months ago in Bikaner, I had said, ‘Forget this now; forget Manesar.’ Did any statement [from him] follow my call to forget Manesar?” Well, let’s put this issue to rest; after all, that is simply the nature of their advisors—that is how they appear, and that is why the issue persists. We do not want the issue to drag on; what’s done is done. Humans make mistakes, but unless a mistake is acknowledged, the issue inevitably lingers—and I do not want that. We believe that today, the Congress party is in crisis, and the country itself is in crisis; if anyone can save the nation, it is the Congress party. This is a party associated with the legacy of leaders like Gandhi-ji, Pandit Nehru, Maulana Azad, and Sardar Patel. Can we ever forget how they liberated the party and the country? They spent up to ten years in prison, whereas the RSS and BJP people—who are in power today—did not even suffer a scratch.
These people will tear the country apart; they are dangerous individuals. Who knows where they will lead the nation with their Hindu-Muslim rhetoric? We must all fight this battle together—whether it is Pilot , myself, or any other leader. We should give our all for the Congress, for the party has given us everything; it made them Union Ministers, and I personally helped make that happen. Yet, they never acknowledged this verbally—a fact that does hurt me. They know I helped them; when I received a call from them, I told them I had already spoken on their behalf and that they would become ministers. The fact that they never voiced this acknowledgment is something that pains us. Mark my words: there is no substitute for truth in this world. Gandhiji said, “Truth is God, God is Truth”—Truth is the Divine, and the Divine is Truth. We live by this principle. Whether it is Pilot , any leader, the PCC President, the Leader of the Opposition, Dotasra *ji*, or anyone else—my message to everyone is simply to move forward together. The High Command—and Rahul *ji* specifically—holds the Rajasthan Congress in such high regard that it is hard to believe. He has stated this repeatedly; recently, while praising the PCC President and Juli ji, he expressed a wish for that dynamic duo to remain intact, noting the excellent work being done. What greater compliment could there be? No one knows who will become Chief Minister and who won’t. We simply want everyone to keep moving forward together. The country is facing a crisis right now; why don’t we all step up and protect the nation together? We can feel the aura of the Rajasthan Congress across India; whenever a rally is held in Delhi, the largest number of people attend from Rajasthan. The High Command is well aware of this. I have witnessed this for the past 20–25 years. Therefore, please set aside all differences and unite as one.
