Rajasthan Crisis: Sachin Pilot returned to Jaipur to a cold reception from former boss
Ashok Gehlot, who met with Congress MLAs staying at a hotel in Jaisalmer last evening, today said they were "naturally upset" after the truce but everyone has to move on. "Forget and forgive, and move on," the Chief Minister declared.
"We have to forgive mistakes. It is for the sake of democracy. Democracy is in danger. More than 100 MLAs stood by me. That in itself is remarkable. This fight is to save democracy and the BJP failed to do in Rajasthan what it did in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. We will be united for the sake of democracy."
The two have yet to meet and are unlikely to even see each other before the special session of the Rajasthan assembly on Friday, say sources. That is, unless Mr Gehlot calls a meeting of Congress legislators to set the stage for a formal reconciliation. But the patch-up in Delhi will take more time to sink in.
Mr Pilot, 42, who revolted against the Chief Minister after being summoned in allegations of bribing Congress MLAs to defect, dropped his rebellion after meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra yesterday.
Here are the Highlights on Rajasthan Political Crisis:
The BJP can be defeated at their own game and Rajasthan is an example of it: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
"Ashok Gehlot's political acumen forced BJP to call for a retreat. I am really happy that Sachin Pilot has returned to Rajasthan. The development proves that we can solve any crisis amicably. Leaders like Sachin Pilot are future of our party," the member of the Congress Working Committee said.
"It's A Draw, Back To Pavilion": Rebel MLA On Team Pilot's ReturnAs the Rajasthan Congress struggled to reconcile with Sachin Pilot's return after a month-long rebellion, a former minister and rebel MLA who had compared the revolt to a test match declared a "draw" and said it was "back to pavilion" for his group.
Vishvendra Singh, who was sacked as Rajasthan Tourism Minister after he joined the rebel squad of Sachin Pilot, tried cricket humour to explain a truce that, according to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, many Congress MLAs have found hard to digest.
"I said this is a test match and I said it with humour. The match is a draw now," said Vishvendra Singh, who was also vice president of the Congress in Rajasthan.
"With the High Command's intervention the teams are friends again. We are all back to the pavilion," he added.
Rajasthan a lesson for BJP, its ''horse-trading'' politics defeated: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday said the resolution of the Rajasthan political crisis has dealt a blow to the BJP's "horse-trading" politics.
Describing young leaders such as Sachin Pilot as the future of the party, the veteran Congress MP also hailed the political acumen of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for "beating BJP at its own game".
"The Rajasthan episode has destroyed the myth that the BJP and its theatrics cannot be beaten. The horse-trading politics of the BJP has been defeated.
"It was a pleasure to watch BJP shifting its MLAs to other states out of fear that they might switch over to the Congress," Mr Chowdhury told PTI.
"Gehlot Performed Operation On 'Operation Lotus', Taught BJP A Lesson": Shiv SenaThe Shiv Sena today said failure of "Operation Lotus" in Rajasthan was the defeat of "political perversity", days after a meeting between Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Rahul Gandhi signalled an amicable resolution of the Rajasthan political crisis.
An editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said "Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot performed an operation on 'Operation Lotus' and taught the BJP a lesson".
The term "Operation Lotus", used by some political parties, refers to the alleged attempts by the BJP to engineer defections from other parties.
"Even in Maharashtra, the early morning operation had failed. At least now, the BJP should learn a lesson. The new date of operation in Maharashtra by some fake doctors is September," the Sena said in sarcastic comments.
Our friends who had gone away have now come back: Ashok Gehlot
"We will work together. Our friends who had gone away have now come back. I hope that we will do away with all our differences and fulfill our resolve to serve the state," said Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
Congress MLAs are upset, says Ashok Gehlot
"It's natural for the MLAs to be upset. The manner in which this episode occurred and the way in which they stayed for a month, it was natural. I have explained to them that sometimes we need to be tolerant if we have to serve the nation, state, people and save the democracy," said Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Congress committe to look into all grievances, leadership issue in Rajasthan in time-bound manner: Sachin Pilot
After nearly a month-long tussle with Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said he has been assured that the AICC committee announced by the party to address his concerns, and that of the other aggrieved MLAs, will look into leadership issue in the state among other pending grievances.
He also said that during his meeting with former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday, he had made no personal demands for any post and asserted that he has left it to the party to decide on his "future role".
After his meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress issued a statement, saying Mr Pilot will work in the "interest of the Congress", and a three-member committee will be set up to address his grievances and that of other aggrieved MLAs, signalling an "amicable resolution" of nearly a month-long Rajasthan crisis ahead of the crucial assembly session from August 14.
In an interview to PTI, Mr Pilot said the issues raised by him and the MLAs supporting him were not personal in nature.
Can't Say When Rajasthan Political "Drama" May Resume: MayawatiBahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said that it appears that the Congress government in Rajasthan is safe but said there is a possibility that drama might again erupt between former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
"It seems that the Congress government in Rajasthan is safe now but it can not be said that when will the drama between Mr Pilot and Mr Gehlot begin again. BSP wants to say that the long due internal conflict between these two has affected works of public welfare in the state," Mayawati said.
"I appeal to the governor of Rajasthan to take cognisance of the situation in the state and carry out his Constitutional responsibility," she added.
"Not made any demands, will do whatever party asks me to": Sachin Pilot
Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said he has not made any demands with the party and issues raised by him with the party''s central leadership concerning governance in Rajasthan and importance of party workers were being worked on.
Sachin Pilot, whose differences with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot led to a political crisis in Rajasthan, said he was an MLA and a Congress worker and will carry out the work assigned to him by the party.
"I have not made any demands with the party. I am an MLA and a Congress worker, I will do whatever party asks me to do," Mr Pilot told ANI.
"Everything happens in its own time. We raised the issues over governance, importance of party workers and the MLA''s work and now it is being worked on," he added.
"Was Offended And Hurt By Name-Calling": Sachin Pilot
Congress's Sachin Pilot, back in Rajasthan after ending his month-long revolt against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, said on Tuesday that he had "no hard feelings" and was no longer part of the state government but he expected the "head of the family" to resolve disputes and take everyone along.
"I have not asked for any post. I have only said there should be no vendetta politics against the MLAs who are returning to the fold," Sachin Pilot said on the 18 rebels who had joined him in his rebellion.
Mr Pilot, 42, who revolted against the Chief Minister after being summoned in allegations of bribing Congress MLAs to defect, dropped his rebellion after meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra yesterday. All he apparently got from the leadership was an assurance that the grievances of the rebels would be heard by a three-member committee that includes Priyanka Gandhi.
Congress says Rajasthan crisis a closed chapter
The Congress said Tuesday that the crisis in Rajasthan is a "closed chapter" and all legislators supporting its government will work towards strengthening Rajasthan and fighting COVID-19 and other economic calamities.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala credited former party chief Rahul Gandhi for his vision in helping resolve the crisis in Rajasthan, after he intervened and assured rebel Sachin Pilot and MLAs close to him of redressal of their grievances.
"It is a close chapter and I would not like to comment further on the same. I would only say, we will all work together including Pilot and all the 18 MLAs who have gone, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
"All our legislators as also those who were supporting our Government will work in strengthening Rajasthan and in fighting COVID and other economic calamities and as they say - 'All's well that ends well'," he told reporters.
MLAs In Ashok Gehlot Camp Annoyed After Sachin Pilot's Return: Top Leader
Congress legislators in the Ashok Gehlot camp on Tuesday expressed their "annoyance" on the return of Sachin Pilot and other dissident MLAs, a senior party leader said.
However, Chief Minister Gehlot said he has faith in the party's high command and their decision. He said the party leadership in Delhi will be apprised of the MLAs' sentiments.
"Several MLAs expressed annoyance towards them. The chief minister said he trusts the party high command and their decision. He said there will be no compromise with the interest of any MLA who has stayed with us," Chief Whip Mahesh Joshi said after a Congress Legislature Party meeting Tuesday night.