Will Pilot make a rough landing?

GEHLOT-PILOT RIFT WIDENS; CRUCIAL MLAs MEET TODAY

- DHIRENDRA KUMAR

NEW DELHI: The ongoing tussle between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot may continue for a little longer as the later is firm on fulfillment of his ‘special’ demands to get more ‘power’ in the state government which is dominated by Gehlot and his loyalists.

As per party sources, both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been briefed about the situation and the party leadership is confident that they won’t allow Madhya Pradesh like situation in Rajasthan.

However, Pilot claimed that he has the support of over 30 Congress MLAs and some independents. The statement released on Pilot’s WhatsApp group claimed that the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government is in minority now. The message also added that Pilot will not attend Congress Legislative Party meeting scheduled to be held on Monday.

In an attempt to avoid a repeat of Madhya Pradesh’s situation, the party immediately sent two observers — Randeep Surjewala and Ajay Maken — to Jaipur to find out a workable solution. Sources in the party read this move in favour of Pilot as both the observers are considered as close to Rahul Gandhi, so there are chances that ‘demands’ of Pilot would be fulfilled.

A decision in this regard would be taken after the key meeting of all party MLAs, which has called by Gehlot at 10.30 am on Monday. Earlier the meeting was scheduled to be held at 9 pm on Sunday. The party is also making all efforts to ensure that all its MLAs attend the crucial meet.