Pilot camp targets Gehlot over 2020 & 2022 crisis claims; Meena demands Narco test

Jaipur: In a fresh display of the internal discord within the Rajasthan Congress, the rift between AICC General Secretary Sachin Pilot and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot resurfaced Wednesday.

The tensions followed Gehlot’s recent comments regarding the political turmoil of July 2020 and Sept 2022, where he suggested that attempts were made to destabilise the previous Congress govt through financial incentives—allegations that included claims of brokered deals worth Rs 35 crore per MLA, with Rs 10 crore allegedly paid as advances.

Ramesh Meena, a former minister and a staunch supporter of Pilot, Wednesday issued a challenge to Gehlot by suggesting they both undergo a narco test to substantiate the claims. “If such deals were made, let both of us undergo a narco test,” Meena declared, claiming to have evidence of payments made to MLAs from the BTP, Independents, and the BJP to save the Gehlot-govt.

Meena also reached out to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, urging him to reassess Gehlot’s leadership. “The party made this person the CM three times, and every time the party was defeated. Rahul Gandhi ji should consider this—if such a person is not controlled, the party will be ruined,” he added. Meena was addressing a farmers’ conference and the unveiling of a statue of former Union minister Rajesh Pilot in Sakarghata village of Karauli district, a day before his death anniversary.

Pilot adopted a more measured tone. “If you look in the eye, you will know whether someone is speaking the truth or lying. I have respected all the leaders who have worked with me; we may have had differences of opinion, but there has never been any bad blood between us,” he said at the same event.

Pilot further said, “I have no personal dispute with anyone. And all of you know that I speak very carefully. Once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. That is why struggle, standing firmly with truth, self-restraint, and contentment are important, and it is essential to show respect. How people around us behave is not in our control. “