Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as a friend and praised him for attending the launch event of the state's first Vande Bharat Express despite the ongoing political crises in his Congress party. The Prime Minister was addressing the flagging-off ceremony of the Vande Bharat Express through video conferencing. At the end of his address, PM Modi pointed to the demands put forward by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as well as the ongoing political tussle in the Congress.