Sachin Pilot meets Rahul, Priyanka as Congress claims 'breakthrough'

Rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot met party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi on Monday (August 10) afternoon. This comes ahead of the crucial assembly session in Rajasthan from August 14, with both the two sides reportedly indicating a “breakthrough” in the political crisis for the Ashok Gehlot government.

Congress sources said the meeting took place a little after noon at Rahul Gandhi’s house, and a “positive outcome” was expected. However, it is now known whether party interim chief Sonia Gandhi attended the meeting. Reports suggest that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were seen leaving for the meeting together.

Related news: Rajasthan crisis: Pilot camp MLA says they’ll attend assembly session

Leaders supporting Pilot told news agency ANI, on the condition of anonymity, that they had been in touch with the top Congress leadership and that the party had even assured the issue will be resolved soon. Sources confirmed that a formula for Pilot’s return to the Congress was being worked out.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had met Pilot a couple of weeks back in an attempt to broker peace, reported NDTV. The Pilot camp, however, maintained that any conciliation is possible only when their main demand — the removal of Ashok Gehlot as the chief minister — is met.

The talk of peace comes just days before Gehlot is likely to move a confidence motion in a special session of the Rajasthan Assembly to establish his majority and quell the rebellion.

Related news: Congress says ‘breakthrough’ with Pilot soon; rebels dismiss claim

Gehlot, who does not see eye-to-eye with Pilot, had accused him of joining hands with the BJP to plot the downfall of the government. Pilot, however, had denied the allegations. The BJP too had claimed the allegations were false and accused the Congress of being unable to hold its flock together.

Pilot and 18 other MLAs had rebelled against the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan last month, leading to Pilot’s sacking as deputy chief minister and the state party chief. The MLAs supporting him were also issued disqualification notices by the Speaker.

(With inputs from agencies)