The simmering rivalry between veteran Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot has reignited in Rajasthan, drawing a pointed response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which on 8 June distanced itself from the factional feud and urged the two leaders to resolve their differences internally. The latest flare-up follows Gehlot's renewed public criticism of Pilot over the 2022 Rajasthan political crisis.

BJP's Sharp Distancing

Madan Rathore, BJP state president of Rajasthan, said the party has no role in Congress' internal politics or leadership disputes and called on both Gehlot and Pilot to settle their differences through dialogue rather than drawing political opponents into their ongoing feud. Rathore accused Gehlot of reviving old controversies primarily to maintain his political relevance within the Congress. He argued that a leader of Gehlot's stature — having served three terms as Chief Minister — should exercise greater restraint in public discourse. Rathore further alleged that Congress' deepening internal factionalism was compelling senior leaders to make provocative statements simply to remain visible before the party high command.

What Gehlot Said at the Constitution Club

Speaking at the Constitution Club in Jaipur, Gehlot reignited debate over the dramatic events of 25 September 2022, when a political crisis erupted in Rajasthan amid speculation that Pilot could replace him as Chief Minister. Gehlot asserted that the rebellion by Congress legislators at the time was aimed at preventing Pilot from becoming Chief Minister — not at defying the Congress high command. 'If I had rebelled against the high command, would I have remained Chief Minister?' Gehlot asked, while accusing Pilot of refusing to acknowledge mistakes made during the crisis.

The 2020 Manesar Episode and Unacknowledged Gestures

Gehlot also revisited his 'forget and forgive' stance over the fallout from the Manesar episode — an apparent reference to Pilot's 2020 rebellion against the Gehlot-led government — suggesting the controversy would have ended years ago had Pilot accepted reconciliation efforts. He further claimed that despite helping Pilot rise in national politics and become a Union Minister, the gesture was never publicly acknowledged. The veteran leader maintained that misunderstandings had damaged their relationship but insisted he had consistently sought reconciliation.

What This Signals for Congress in Rajasthan

Congress workers in Rajasthan noted that the renewed exchange highlights how the Gehlot-Pilot rivalry continues to cast a long shadow over the party, even as it attempts to rebuild after losing power to the BJP. Some within the party reportedly believe Gehlot is positioning himself for the Congress state president post. Notably, this is not the first time the feud has surfaced publicly — it has periodically disrupted Congress' organisational cohesion in the state since at least 2020. With no resolution in sight, the political wounds from Rajasthan Congress' turbulent power struggle appear far from healed.