In a moment that may mark a turning point in Rajasthan’s political landscape, two of the state’s most prominent Congress leaders—Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot—shared the stage for the first time in five years. Once seen as rivals embroiled in a bitter political feud, the two leaders came together on the solemn occasion of the death anniversary of Rajesh Pilot, Sachin’s father and a towering figure in Indian politics.
The ceremony, held in Dausa, was not just a remembrance of Rajesh Pilot’s legacy, but also a potential signal of reconciliation and renewed unity within the Rajasthan Congress—something the party has sorely needed after years of internal discord.
“We Were Never Apart,” Says Gehlot
Speaking at the event, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot attempted to downplay the acrimony of the past, saying, “When have we been separated? We are always together and share a lot of love. It is only the media that says there is distance between us.”
His statement, although diplomatic, marks a notable shift from previous years when tensions ran high between him and Pilot, especially after the latter led a revolt in July 2020 with 18 supporting MLAs. The crisis had nearly toppled the Gehlot government and led to Sachin Pilot being removed as both deputy chief minister and state Congress president.
Despite the fallout, Wednesday’s event painted a picture of reconciliation. Pilot had personally visited Gehlot’s Jaipur residence a few days earlier to invite him to the ceremony, a gesture that led to a rare two-hour-long conversation—their first extended private meeting since the 2020 crisis.
A Historic Day for the Congress in Rajasthan
Congress workers and leaders who have long wished for peace between the two factions were visibly relieved. State Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, senior leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, MPs Harish Chaudhary and Murari Lal Meena, and several MLAs attended the ceremony, underscoring its significance.
Ved Prakash Solanki, a known Pilot loyalist, called it a “historic day” and remarked, “Many party workers, divided over the years, smiled unitedly after this meeting of Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot. We always stood with Pilot, and all the genuine workers of the Congress accepted the invitation to come and see the two leaders together.”
Former minister Hemaram Chaudhary echoed the sentiment, saying, “It is not a good thing if there is any rift inside the party. With this unity, Congress will come back to power.”
Revisiting a Tumultuous Past
While the public display of unity is heartening, the scars of the 2020 crisis remain fresh in Rajasthan’s political memory. That year, Pilot openly questioned Gehlot’s leadership and accused him of failing to act against corruption. Gehlot, in turn, accused Pilot and his camp of being complicit in a BJP plot to topple the Congress government—a claim the Pilot camp has consistently denied.
In a dramatic statement last year, Gehlot had claimed it was “a miracle” that his government completed a full term, subtly referencing the attempted rebellion without naming Pilot. He even alleged that three BJP leaders, including Vasundhara Raje, helped him save his government—a claim that drew significant attention and controversy.
Adding fuel to the fire, Pilot had launched a five-day padyatra in 2023 from Ajmer to Jaipur to highlight the government's inaction against corruption—implicitly targeting Gehlot’s tenure. His criticism of Gehlot’s remarks about BJP figures and his questioning of the CM’s allegiance further deepened the rift.
Reconciliation or Political Optics?
Whether this public display of unity is a genuine reconciliation or a tactical truce ahead of future political battles remains to be seen. With the Lok Sabha elections behind us and the next assembly elections inching closer, the Congress cannot afford another episode of internal sabotage in Rajasthan.
The event in Dausa may well be a signal to party workers and voters that the leadership is ready to move forward, bury past grievances, and focus on the larger goal of governance and electoral success.
For Congress in Rajasthan, unity is no longer optional—it is a necessity. If this coming together of Gehlot and Pilot holds firm, it could revive the party’s morale in the state and give it a fighting chance to take on the BJP in the coming years.
A Tribute, and a Turning Point?
As Ashok Gehlot emotionally recalled his days with Rajesh Pilot in Parliament and paid tribute to his late colleague, the political undertones of the event couldn’t be ignored. “We still remember his love. We paid our tribute to him. We were together as Members of Parliament for 18 years,” Gehlot said.
In that moment, the past and present seemed to converge—not only to honor a departed leader but also to hint at a renewed commitment to work together for the party's future.
Only time will tell if this newfound unity translates into a lasting political alliance. But for now, the Congress in Rajasthan has a reason to hope—and perhaps, to heal.