Gehlot urges Congress unity, tells leaders: ‘Don’t shorten my line, draw a bigger one’

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday called for unity among Congress leaders, urging them to set aside rivalries and differences in view of the challenges facing the country.

Speaking to reporters here, Gehlot clarified that he is no longer pursuing any position or office within the party.

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“Now I am not seeking any post or position. I am an extremely satisfied politician who has achieved everything. Becoming the Chief Minister of Rajasthan three times is no ordinary achievement,” he said.

However, he added that if any responsibility were to come to him naturally, it would be a different matter. “I would never do anything wrong to secure any post,” the senior Congress leader remarked.

Expressing concern over factionalism within the party, Gehlot said, “Our leaders are unable to understand my sentiments. I tell them, ‘Don’t shorten my line; instead, draw a line bigger than mine.’ Nobody knows who will become Chief Minister in the future and who will not. Therefore, we must remain united and work together for the party.”

Emphasising the need for collective action, he said, “The country is facing a crisis. Why can’t we move forward unitedly and work together?”

The three-time Chief Minister and former Member of Parliament also criticised sections of the media, urging journalists to avoid acting as “godi media” and calling on social media platforms to remain committed to facts and truth.

Addressing references to former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, Gehlot said, “You should not cause further damage to Sachin Pilot. A great deal of damage has already been done. I hear all these narratives, but whom should I complain to? Everyone presents a different version.”

Referring to the political developments of September 25, 2022, when Congress MLAs boycotted a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Gehlot rejected the characterization of the episode as a revolt against the party high command.

“Many people who did not know the facts portrayed it as a rebellion against the high command. That is not correct. There was no revolt against the high command,” he said.

He argued that the MLAs who opposed a leadership change believed they had helped save the Congress government and therefore wanted the next Chief Minister to be chosen from among those who had stood by the party.

“Even then, as the CLP leader, I went to Sonia Gandhi and apologised for the unpleasant situation that arose under my leadership,” he said.

Gehlot also dismissed suggestions that he had been unwilling to relinquish the Chief Minister’s post or accept the position of Congress president.

“How could I think that way? Am I a novice who does not understand the legacy and historic significance of the post of Congress president?” he asked.

He alleged that a false and misleading impression had been created about his intentions. “Such a misunderstanding was the result of a serious conspiracy,” Gehlot said.