Rajasthan government crisis, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will meet Sachin Pilot

Rajastha: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will meet Sachin Pilot. After so many controversies, the bitter rivals are expected to come face-to-face at a CLP (Congress Legislature Party) meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Meeting is just a day before the special session of the Rajasthan assembly.

Pilot returned to Jaipur yesterday. He returned after ending his month-long battle meeting with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Mr Gehlot said Congress MLAs are “naturally upset” about the truce but everyone has to move on. “Forget and forgive,” he declared while meticulously avoiding any chance of a “reunion” photo-op with Mr Pilot.

“It is 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’ve explained to them that sometimes we need to be tolerant if we have to serve the nation, state, people and save the democracy,” the Chief Minister told reporters.

“We have to forgive mistakes and be united for the sake of democracy. More than 100 MLAs stood by me. That in itself is remarkable.”

“Some unparliamentary and inappropriate terms were used. Not to say that I was not offended, I am human. I did feel hurt and disappointed, but we have larger mission and name-calling should not be a deterrent,” he said.

Mr Gehlot said if the party leadership had decided to forgive the rebel MLAs, he would “give them a warm hug”. But he avoided questions on how he would re-embrace a man he had dubbed “nikamma” and corrupt.

“We stood by the party so we feel hurt. You can’t buy milk and water at the same rate,” grumbled Prashant Bairwa, an MLA.