Betrayer Pilot can't become CM, says Ashok Gehlot; allegations are baseless, says Sachin Pilot

In a sign of deepening fault lines in the Rajasthan Congress, chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that in-house rival Sachin Pilot had "betrayed the party". In a reference to the aborted toppling bid on the state government two years ago, Gehlot asserted Pilot cannot become the CM and repeated the 'betrayer' jibe at his sacked deputy CM. Gehlot's comments came after Gujjar community leader Vijay Singh Bainsla threatened to disrupt Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo yatra if Pilot is not made the CM.

"A traitor cannot be a chief minister. The high command cannot make Sachin Pilot the chief minister... a man who doesn't have the support of 10 MLAs. Who revolted. He betrayed the party, is a traitor," Gehlot told a TV news channel in Rajasthan.

Gehlot alleged that Pilot had met two senior BJP Union ministers during that aborted toppling bid on the Rajasthan government and 'huge amounts of money exchanged hands during the operation'.


In response, Pilot told the media: "He called me nakara, gaddar... They are baseless allegations. Gehlotji is a very senior and experienced leader and I don't know who is advising him and why he is making such baseless charges. The need now is to strengthen Congress. Rahul Gandhi is on Bharat Jodo Yara, and we have to make it a big success when it reaches Rajasthan." Pilot insinuated Gehlot was being insecure and said he should have focussed on Gujarat campaign.

Congress' Jairam Ramesh said: "Ashok Gehlot is a senior and experienced political leader, whatever differences he has expressed with his younger colleague Sachin Pilot will be resolved in a manner that strengthens Congress. Right now, it is the duty of each and every Congressman and Congresswoman to make the already successful Bharat Jodo Yatra even more impactful in the north."

While Gehlot's comments to TV were telecast on a day Pilot joined Rahul and Priyanka in MP during the yatra, certain Rajasthan Congress circles indicated that the CM's comments were recorded a couple of days earlier.