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Rajasthan assembly session on Aug 14
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 8/11/2020 11:51:20 AM
NEW DELHI, Aug 10: Rajasthan assembly session from August 14, rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday met party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the former's residence in New Delhi, amidst indications of a possible breakthrough.
Although there is no confirmation regarding what was discussed in the meeting between the three leaders, Rahul and Priyanka are now going to meet Sonia Gandhi to discuss talks held with Pilot.
Sources told midia that Congress had resumed back channel talks with Pilot last week. Congress organization general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP KC Venugopal had visited Gehlot and his MLAs in Jaisalmer on Saturday and informed them about a possible end to the month-long stalemate.Venugopalurged the CM to not give any fresh statement against Pilot.
Gehlot had then met the party's MLAs on Sunday and informed them that he needs to reach Jaipur on Monday. Gehlot told the MLAs that they should accept whatever decision the high command takes vis-a-vis Pilot. Exact reasons for Pilot's indecision on whether or not to see his rebellion through are not yet known. Speculation is rife that the BJP grew wary of plans to destabilize the Gehlot govt with Pilot's help after former CM Vasundhara Raje's discussions with JP Nadda and Rajnath Singh. Raje, sources say, was unyielding in her opposition to a truck with Pilot. There have also been rumours that since over 40 of BJP's 72 MLAs in Rajasthan are Vasundhara loyalists, the party couldn't afford to sideline the former CM and rely on the likes of Gulab Chand Kataria, Satish Poonia or Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
There is no clarity yet on whether Pilot has been offered some face saving deal by the Congress high command or not. Congress sources say Pilot has demanded certain assurances but the manner of his rebellion and the tough stand taken by Gehlot against his axed deputy has made it difficult for the Congress to promise any kind of immediate reinstatement to the rebel.
Gehlot and his supporters want Pilot to publicly apologise to the CM for his behaviour but the rebel leader has refused to do so. Congress has also made it clear to Pilot that it will under no circumstances replace Ashok Gehlot as CM.
At least one more round of talks between Rahul, Priyanka and Pilot are likely. However, no time has been given yet on when this meeting will take place.
Sources said that Gehlot loyalists have told party observers that stern action needs to be taken against rebel MLAs. If no action is taken against Pilot and his loyalists, the Gehlot camp MLAs fear, Congress risks sending a message of being easily arm-twisted and tolerating indiscipline.
Congress MLAs are currently holed up in a Jaisalmer hotel as the party has accused the BJP of horse-trading following the revolt by Pilot and 18 MLAs loyal to him.
Sources also said that Gehlot told his MLAs before leaving for Jaipur that he will abide by whatever decision the high command takes and that sometimes “difficult decisions have to be accepted in the interest of the party.”
Rajasthan assembly will convene on August 14. Chief Minister Gehlot is likely to go for a floor test irrespective of outcome of probable meeting between Rahul and Pilot. The Congress had sacked Pilot as Deputy Chief Minister and the Rajasthan Congress President.