There was no revolt against party high command in September 2022, says Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot on Sunday (June 7, 2026) said he did not revolt against the Congress high command in September 2022 to remain in the Chief Minister’s office.

Mr. Gehlot claimed a “wrong perception” was spread, and there was a conspiracy to defame him. “It is repeatedly asked what happened on September 25, 2022. There can never be a revolt against the high command,” he said, adding that 100 MLAs had reacted to speculation about a leadership change and Sachin Pilot taking oath as the Chief Minister.

In September 2022, the Congress high command had planned for a leadership change in Rajasthan, with Mr. Pilot being considered for the Chief Minister’s post and Mr. Gehlot as a candidate for the Congress’ presidential polls later that year. A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party was scheduled for September 25 but it could not take place as party MLAs defied the high command directive.

Mr. Gehlot said the MLAs took the view that they had demonstrated loyalty to the party high command and remained confined in hotels to save the Congress government.

“They wanted any of them to be appointed the Chief Minister and they would accept it, but Mr. Pilot was unacceptable to them because he was the one who took his MLAs to Manesar. Mr. Pilot should accept this truth,” Mr. Gehlot said, referring to Mr. Pilot’s unsuccessful rebellion against his government in 2020.

Mr. Pilot, who was then serving as Deputy Chief Minister as well as the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President, revolted against Mr. Gehlot’s leadership along with some of his loyal MLAs who had stayed in a hotel in Haryana’s Manesar.

Amid questions over the timing of Mr. Gehlot’s latest comments about a simmering leadership tussle, the former Rajasthan Chief Minister said he had adopted a “forget and forgive approach”.

“Human beings make mistake and even I make mistakes. I said even then that forget and forgive. Today we [him and Mr. Pilot] meet and share lighter moments,” Mr. Gehlot said.