On relations with Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot says, 'When were we ever apart?'; hints at possible thaw with ex-deputy

NEW DELHI: Hinting at a possible reconciliation with his arch-nemesis and one-time deputy Sachin Pilot, Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the two leaders were "never far apart from each other.""When were we ever far apart? The love and affection will continue to remain between us," news agency PTI quoted Gehlot as saying in Dausa, where he attended a memorial event marking the death anniversary of ex-Union minister and Sachin's father Rajesh Pilot.

The ceremony, which included a tribute and an exhibition on Rajesh Pilot's life and legacy, was attended by several Congress leaders including its Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa; its state unit chief Govind Singh Dotasra; leader of opposition in Rajasthan assembly Tikaram Jully, and others.The Gehlot-Pilot feud dates back to December 2018, when Congress unseated BJP from power in the western state. As the-then state Congress chief, the latter was widely credited with the victory. However, the grand old party picked Gehlot for chief minister, while Pilot was made deputy CM.In July 2020, Pilot led an unsuccessful rebellion against Gehlot, who managed to save his government. However, the Congress removed Pilot both as deputy CM and its Rajasthan unit head.