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After years of rift, Ashok Gehlot shares stage with Sachin Pilot, says he was never far apart from him

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday rejected claims of a strained relationship with his former deputy Sachin Pilot, stating, “When were we ever apart? We were never distant.” He added that the bond of “love and affection” between them would endure. Gehlot’s remarks, made with a smile, signal a potential thaw in the […]

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Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday rejected claims of a strained relationship with his former deputy Sachin Pilot, stating, “When were we ever apart? We were never distant.” He added that the bond of “love and affection” between them would endure.

Gehlot’s remarks, made with a smile, signal a potential thaw in the long-standing political rivalry between the two senior Congress leaders. The comments came during a memorial event in Dausa marking the 25th death anniversary of former Union minister Rajesh Pilot, Sachin Pilot’s father.

The ceremony, which featured tributes and an exhibition celebrating Rajesh Pilot’s life and legacy, drew a large crowd, including Congress leaders such as AICC Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, several MPs, MLAs, former ministers, and party workers. Local residents also attended in significant numbers.

When reporters at the bustling venue asked Gehlot about the significance of the two leaders appearing together, he responded, “Ham door kab the? Ham dur the hi nahi. Prem mohabbat bani rahti hai aur bani rahegi. (When were we ever apart? We were never distant. Love and affection remain and will continue to remain).” Sachin Pilot and other leaders were present nearby during Gehlot’s remarks.

Reflecting on Rajesh Pilot, Gehlot recalled their time together in Parliament, praising the late leader’s dedication to farmers and the underprivileged. “Today, we pay tribute to him. The enthusiasm here—young and old, those who worked with him, and those who know of him—speaks to his remarkable legacy. Working with him is a memory refreshed today,” Gehlot said.

Sachin Pilot, speaking at the event, highlighted his father’s contributions in the Indian Air Force and later in politics. “I’m proud that, whether in the military or politics, he set new standards, showing that one can rise from humble beginnings to great heights with integrity,” he said. “Even 25 years after his passing, his work and dedication remain an inspiration. I hope future generations will follow the path he laid.”

Pilot added, “Rajesh Pilot was a unifying figure who bridged divides and served the nation through the Congress. Today, we all honour his memory.” He personally guided Gehlot through the exhibition, briefing him on its displays.

Rajesh Pilot, the Dausa MP at the time, died in a road accident on June 11, 2000. Sachin Pilot organises this annual memorial in Dausa, and recently visited Gehlot’s residence to invite him to the event.

The relationship between Gehlot and Sachin Pilot has been marked by tensions since Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in December 2018. A power struggle for the chief minister’s post ensued, with Gehlot, a two-time chief minister, securing the role for a third term, while Pilot, then PCC president, was named deputy chief minister.

The discord became public in 2020 when Pilot, along with 18 Congress MLAs, rebelled against Gehlot’s leadership, triggering a month-long political crisis. The standoff ended after assurances from the party high command to address Pilot’s concerns.

During this period, Gehlot used harsh terms like “gaddar” (traitor), “nakara” (incapable), and “nikamma” (worthless) for Pilot, accusing him of colluding with BJP leaders to destabilise the Congress government. As a result, Pilot was stripped of his roles as deputy chief minister and PCC president.

In September 2022, a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting was called at Gehlot’s residence to pass a resolution empowering the party high command to decide on a leadership change, as Gehlot was a contender for the Congress president’s post.

However, the meeting was derailed when a parallel gathering, led by then state parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal, saw numerous Congress MLAs submit resignation letters to the Assembly speaker, opposing any move to appoint Pilot as chief minister.

In April 2023, Pilot staged a fast at Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak, pressing for action on alleged corruption cases linked to the previous BJP government under Vasundhara Raje. The move was seen as a critique of Gehlot’s government for its perceived inaction on these cases.

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PM Modi thanks voters of West Bengal, hails Syama Prasad Mookerjee dream

PM Narendra Modi welcomes BJP crossing majority in West Bengal, calling it a historic mandate by the people.

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PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited the BJP’s victory in the elections to the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 to the people of the state and each and every party worker who has suffered in promoting the party and disseminating its message over the last 30-odd years. He thanked the people of Assam for re-electing the party.

Addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters, Modi invoked Jana Sangh found Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who worked for the purpose of a united Bengal, and Sri Aurobindo and said their spirits will be at peace at last. Paying paeans to the vision of Tagore, he recounted that the Nobel laureate had wished for a country where one can hold one’s head high without fear.
The PM said the people of Bengal have chosen the governance model of the party. He promised jobs for the youth, increased safety for women. He said the first cabinet meeting will implement Ayushman Bharat in the state. In the same breath, he promised to act against infiltrators decisively.
Pointing to the violence-less election this time, he said not one citizen has been hurt or killed while it many have died in previous polls.
He appealed to the workers of other parties to end the cycle of violence that had plagued the state for all this time and instead serve Bengal and its people.
The problems posed by the war in Iran found place in the PM’s speech. He noted that the whole country is at a disadvantage but people are soldiering on to achieve Viksit Bharat.
Referring to the importance of nari shakti in the development of India, he took potshots at the Congress and other opposition parties for opposing the women’s reservation bill. Modi reminded the audience that he had warned the Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK for opposing it and they have been taught a lesson. Referring to Kerala, he said the BJP will see gains in the future. He mocked the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for not having any government left in the country after the loss of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala.
Attacking the Congress, he said it has become the hub of urban naxals and said the people have thrown out communist thought in the country. The Congress has no understanding of the aspirations of the people. The BJP will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala as well, he said.

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BJP crosses majority in West Bengal, PM Narendra Modi says lotus blooms in first reaction

PM Modi hails BJP’s majority in West Bengal, calling it a historic mandate and thanking voters across the state.

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pm modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strong performance in the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, saying the “lotus has bloomed” in the state as the party crossed the majority mark in early results.

In a post on X, Modi thanked the people of West Bengal and described the outcome as a reflection of public trust. He said he bows to every voter for their support, adding that the mandate reflects faith in governance and development-focused politics.

The BJP’s surge in the 294-seat assembly marks a significant political shift in the state, where the party has not previously formed a government. The results indicate a major challenge to the long-standing dominance of the Trinamool Congress.

The election is part of a broader round of state polls across India, where the BJP has shown strong momentum. The party’s performance in West Bengal is being seen as one of the most significant developments in this election cycle.

With counting trends favouring the BJP, focus now turns to final results and the formation of the new government in the state.

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Stalin loses Kolathur seat in Tamil Nadu results 2026 as TVK’s VS Babu scores upset

Media reports suggest MK Stalin has lost his Kolathur stronghold to TVK’s VS Babu in Tamil Nadu election results 2026.

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MK Stalin

In a significant political development in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results 2026, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is reported to have lost the Kolathur constituency, according to media reports based on counting data.

As per these reports, Stalin was defeated by V. S. Babu of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking a notable upset in a seat long regarded as a stronghold of the DMK leader.

Kolathur, located in Chennai, has been closely associated with Stalin for years, making the reported outcome particularly significant in the current election cycle. Earlier counting trends had indicated a tight contest, with Stalin trailing before the result was reported.

The development comes amid a strong showing by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which has performed competitively across several constituencies in the state, according to media reports.

While the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been leading in multiple seats, the reported loss in Kolathur is being viewed as a key moment in the party’s overall performance.

Final results across Tamil Nadu are still being compiled as counting continues.

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