"Shouldn't Be Taken Lightly": Sachin Pilot On PM's Praise For Ashok Gehlot

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at a government function, Congress leader and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot termed it as a "very interesting" development that "should not be taken lightly" by the party.

"The PM had similarly praised Ghulam Nabi Azad in Parliament. We saw what happened after that," Mr Pilot said. Ghulam Nabi Azad left the party recently.

Talking to reporters, Sachin Pilot said, "We all witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praises during his visit to the Mangarh Dham. We all have seen similar things earlier in the Rajya Sabha as well when the PM heaped praises on former Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad on his farewell day. Everybody knows what happened after that. It is an interesting development yesterday and should not be taken lightly."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited Mangarh Dham in Rajasthan and shared the dais with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the event.

Mr Gehlot said in his speech: "When PM Modi goes abroad, he receives great honour because he is PM of the nation of Gandhi where democracy is deep-rooted. When the world realises this, they feel proud that the PM of that country is coming to them."

Addressing the event, PM Modi recalled his days as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. "Ashok Gehlot ji and I had worked together as CMs. He was the most senior in our lot of CMs. He is still one of the senior-most CMs among those who are sitting on the stage right now," he said.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters today, Mr Pilot also said that the time has now arrived "to take action against indiscipline" and sought action against errant MLAs of Rajasthan.

He said MLAs who have been served notices should be told to file their replies. "Congress is an old party... I request the new president to take action against indiscipline," he said.

"As far as Rajasthan is concerned, a CLP meet called on September 25 couldn't be held. AICC considered it a matter of indiscipline...Rules same for all. So, if indiscipline occurred and replies were given, action should be taken. I believe party chief Mallikarjun Kharge will take a decision soon," Mr Pilot said.

In the run-up to the nomination for Congress president election, Mr Gehlot bowed out of the process after Congress MLAs supporting him did not attend a Congress Legislature Party meeting on September 25.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)