Ashok Gehlot Interview Full Transcript

Ashok Gehlot Interview Full Transcript [ad_1]

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has launched an all-out assault towards arch rival Sachin Pilot. In an unique interview with NDTV, he took trip from campaigning with Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat to ship his largest takedown but of Mr Pilot. 

Right here is the complete transcript of the interview:

NDTV: Hey and welcome to this NDTV unique with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. The elections in Rajasthan are greater than a yr away. In actual fact, the elections proper now are in Gujarat, the place Mr Gehlot has been campaigning. However frankly the battle, in a way in Rajasthan, has already begun. Is the Congress' inside turmoil proving an impediment to Mr Gehlot, as he seeks re-election? Ashok ji, thanks very, very a lot, for being with us now. We're in Pali district now. You may have been travelling all day, holding conferences, some scouts are additionally ready for you. Inform me Ashok ji, there are elections in Rajasthan, there may be time, however no matter is going on in the previous few months, what we noticed, is that inflicting pressure, issues for the get together's state of affairs right here?

Ashok Gehlot: I've no pressure. And there may be none. Media is creating extra. Media is creating extra. Some bickering occurs in all states, some rifts additionally occur. Media desires that it at all times looks like there are 2 teams right here, and so on. I've seen that is media's method in every single place.

NDTV: Is that this solely media? You understand two months again, a lot tumult had occurred right here. 90 plus MLAs rebelled; that isn't a small factor? 

Ashok Gehlot: It was not insurrection. In a manner, as a result of there was a insurrection earlier, when individuals had stayed in resort for 34 days. These 90 individuals who had gathered, have been these had supported in saving authorities at the moment. With out them the federal government wouldn't have been saved. 

NDTV: So you're saying they have been loyalists of Congress in a manner?

Ashok Gehlot: They have been loyalists of the Excessive Command. No CM can save authorities with out Excessive Command. If Excessive Command provides blessing, then individuals assist. 

NDTV: What was mentioned was that these MLAs have been your loyalists. That they have been Ashok Gehlot's loyalists. And so they did this at your behest. 

Ashok Gehlot: This was nonsense, saying that. Everyone is aware of me, the entire nation is aware of what my nature is. This get together and the Gandhi household has for 50 years constantly rewarded me. I've been 5 time MP, three time union minister, three time AICC common secretary, three time PCC President, three time Chief Minister. 

NDTV: So you're saying this revolt had nothing to do with you? 

Ashok Gehlot: The query doesn't even come up. If even one MLA says it, I'll go away the state. 

NDTV: Then why have been they offended?

Ashok Gehlot: I am telling you. They have been offended, as a result of information was unfold that Sachin Pilot might be made CM. He himself additionally behaved this manner. Individuals thought he's going to be CM.

NDTV: Who behaved like that? Pilot?

Ashok Gehlot: Pilot referred to as many MLAs, he mentioned you permit it to Excessive Command, an observer will come to take your views. So the MLAs felt that there could also be a one line decision right this moment, tomorrow would be the swearing in. Due to this hearsay, all of them gathered there. 

NDTV: What was their concern if Pilot turns into CM? 

Ashok Gehlot: The issue was that as a result of he was pulling the federal government down. Amit Shah was additionally concerned in it, Dharmendra Pradhan was additionally concerned in it. All had a gathering in Delhi. 

NDTV: With whom? 

Ashok Gehlot: A few of our MLAs had additionally gone, no? A few of them had conferences. Some stayed in Manesar for 34 days. In a resort. So our MLAs received offended. They mentioned that is uncommon, that the Celebration President goes to the opposition to topple his personal authorities.

NDTV: Pilot was State Celebration President on the time?

Ashok Gehlot: Sure. He was Deputy CM additionally. It should not have occurred within the historical past of the nation earlier than this, that a get together president went to the opposition to topple his personal authorities. It will need to have by no means occurred in historical past. 

NDTV: You're saying for this reason MLAs had an issue?

Ashok Gehlot: Sure. The MLAs have been loyal to Excessive Command, have been loyal even now. They've highest the respect and regard in direction of Madam Sonia Gandhi. They have been offended that the observer was coming and would ask them to endorse Pilot. Pilot was requesting the MLAs himself. So such a state of affairs was created. 

NDTV: But when Excessive Command themselves gave instructions to the observer, to garner assist for Pilot, perhaps the Excessive Command itself wished Pilot to be CM? 

Ashok Gehlot: How might they bear making Pilot CM? Individuals who suffered for 34 days, we all know how we survived the 34 days. We needed to protest at Raj Bhavan. I used to be additionally current there. We labored arduous to avoid wasting the federal government. 

NDTV: No, no. I am saying, if the Excessive Command wished to make Pilot CM, then?

Ashok Gehlot: No, no, no. Cannot make him CM. There was some communication hole. How can they make him? A person who does not have 10 MLAs. Who revolted; who has been referred to as traitor. He betrayed the get together, is a traitor. How can individuals settle for him? 

NDTV: However Pilot has denied that he had nothing to do with BJP? 

Ashok Gehlot: No, no. He cannot say that. The entire sport was theirs. Rs 10 crore was distributed by the BJP. I've proof.

NDTV: To all?

Ashok Gehlot: I do not know to who all, some received 5 crore, some 10 crore. In actual fact the cash was picked up from BJP workplace in Delhi. Many have picked the cash up from there. They've informed me themselves.  

NDTV: So you're saying that when Pilot denies all this, saying don't have anything to do with BJP

Ashok Gehlot: Who? Who? I'm listening to this for the primary time. 

NDTV: You're listening to it for the primary time?

Ashok Gehlot: Sure, listening to it for the primary time. 

NDTV: However Pilot has mentioned so?

Ashok Gehlot: No, no. He will need to have informed you. 

NDTV: No, not simply me. He has informed the media, that 'I've nothing to do with BJP. I used to be sad inside the Congress, and so I revolted'

Ashok Gehlot: No, no. If he had gone to AICC HQ and sat there, it will have been totally different. For the previous 50 years, protestors have gone to AICC. They've spoken to Madam. Raised their complaints. First time I noticed any person went to Manesar. Dharmendra Pradhan used to go to Manesar. Our two unbiased MLAs had additionally gone there individually. They have been stopped on the resort. They weren't from the Congress. Dharmendra Pradhan used to satisfy them there. It was all of the BJPs sport. 

NDTV: However Ashok ji, if what you're saying is true, why has Pilot not been kicked out by Congress? In a manner, he's again within the Congress?

Ashok Gehlot: It's for the primary time some State Congress President has been sacked. Sacking just isn't normal practise. Resignation is requested, and so they give their resignation. Why was he sacked? Why did I as CM sack him as Deputy CM? 

NDTV: But when he has gone by means of his punishment, why cannot he be CM? 

Ashok Gehlot: You don't get it. The MLAs are offended. They wished that Pilot ought to have at the very least apologised to the Excessive Command, he ought to have apolgised to the individuals of Rajasthan, to the MLAs. 

NDTV: He didn't apologise?

Ashok Gehlot: Until date Pilot has not apologised. If he had apologised, I might not have needed to apologise.

NDTV: Which means you'd haven't have needed to apologise to Sonia Gandhi? 

Ashok Gehlot: If Pilot had apologised, there would have been no revolt towards him. The 90 MLAs' revolt was towards Pilot. And after a lot of our ministers had mentioned additionally that can't settle for gaddar, traitor... 

NDTV: The MLAs are saying that we can't settle for a 'gaddar'. However you additionally agree with this?

Ashok Gehlot: I settle for it, after all, why not? 

NDTV: You additionally say it? 

Ashok Gehlot: I additionally say it. Make certainly one of 102 who have been loyal the CM, there isn't a downside. However how will we settle for the person who betrayed us? 

NDTV: So you're prepared to just accept another person as CM? Any individual apart from Pilot?

Ashok Gehlot: Hearken to me. I am nonetheless prepared. I am loyal to the Excessive Command. They need to determine what's within the curiosity of the get together. In the event that they wish to maintain me, maintain me. I've no objections if one other face comes so long as we are able to win elections. 

NDTV: What in the event that they make Pilot the brand new face?

Ashok Gehlot: How can he be made? No one will settle for him! 

NDTV: No one will settle for him? 

Ashok Gehlot: How will they? You inform me.

NDTV: However Ashok ji, Pilot says he was sidelined a lot by you, that's the reason he received offended and decamped along with his supporters? 

Ashok Gehlot: That is completely flawed. Query doesn't even come up. How can we sideline?

NDTV: That he was not given energy, his supporters have been stopped from vital positions?

Ashok Gehlot: Completely flawed. In actual fact his supporters have informed Ajay Maken that we now have no complaints towards the CM. Now we have come again. After coming again, we handled Pilot effectively, nonetheless. Have performed no discrimination with anybody. 

NDTV: However the Excessive Command could not see all this the identical manner?

Ashok Gehlot: What have you learnt? 

NDTV: However you your self mentioned you needed to apologise to the Excessive Command?

Ashok Gehlot: I did so as a result of it was my ethical duty. Regardless of my being CM, the MLAs didn't come to the assembly. That was not revolt, it was their loyalty to the Excessive Command. They have been offended as a result of Pilot himself was saying that he received congratulatory messages. 

NDTV: So Excessive Command just isn't offended with you then? Whenever you met Sonia ji, was she upset with what occurred? 

Ashok Gehlot: Ask Sonia Gandhi that. 

NDTV: However you have been within the assembly?

Ashok Gehlot: I've the very best regard for the Excessive Command. 

NDTV: However you have been going to file nomination as Celebration President, and then you definitely met Sonia Gandhi and got here out saying you weren't going to file. What occurred?

Ashok Gehlot: It's between them and me. It's between them and me. 

NDTV: However why did you withdraw?

Ashok Gehlot: It's between them and me. 

NDTV: Okay. However total are issues not steady in Rajasthan? Ajay Maken desires to stop as central observer?

Ashok Gehlot: Unhappiness is frequent. As we speak 33 individuals of BJP are rebelling in Gujarat, 22 in Himachal. 

NDTV: However Ajay Maken is senior, he's an observer?

Ashok Gehlot: This bickering occurs in all massive events. I consider by and huge there may be peace in Rajasthan. Everyone desires to work collectively. 

NDTV: Maken says there was no motion towards the MLAs who revolted.

Ashok Gehlot: I do not wish to touch upon this proper now, as a result of the matter will get distorted. 

NDTV: However the present trigger discover was in public area?

Ashok Gehlot: No, no. It's the obligation of the disciplinary committee. They need to see whose mistake it was, whose it wasn't. What can I do about that?

NDTV: Ashok ji, you're saying that every little thing is ok in Rajasthan, however is it determined you may be CM? 

Ashok Gehlot: We're going to kind authorities, why are you troubling us? 

NDTV: No, no. We aren't troubling

Ashok Gehlot: We're going to kind the subsequent authorities in Rajasthan. 

NDTV: Will or not it's underneath your management?

Ashok Gehlot: The ambiance is such that it appears we're going to kind authorities. It's a nice floor state of affairs. Now we have so many nice schemes. Everyone is comfortable. I feel that is the primary time, or it's after a very long time, that there isn't a anti-incumbency in Rajasthan. 

NDTV: I perceive you're saying you'll kind the federal government, however will or not it's underneath your management?

Ashok Gehlot: As we speak I'm right here. As we speak it's me. 

NDTV: However what if Excessive Command indicators that they need change? Have they given you any such indication? 

Ashok Gehlot: They've given me no such indication. I do know that Excessive Command will do justice with Rajasthan. We have to kind the federal government in Rajasthan. If we kind the federal government in Rajasthan, then there'll extra Congress state governments in different states. That is our focus.

NDTV: You're saying... 

Ashok Gehlot: ...I wish to say one thing else. I've mentioned this in August too. It was mentioned that I'm doing this to be CM. Let me inform you, this occurred in September, October. In August itself, I had informed Sonia Gandhi and Ajay Maken my emotions, that it is crucial that we kind authorities in Rajasthan. I've been CM 3 times, and held different posts. For me being the CM just isn't vital. What's vital is that if we conduct a survey, you conduct a survey, I will even conduct a survey, if it emerges our chances are high higher with me as CM, then I'm right here. In the event that they really feel, no, I would like to maneuver from the CM publish, and we have to do some social engineering, based mostly on caste, neighborhood or no matter, and solely then we can kind authorities, then I've no downside withdrawing from the CM publish. I additionally mentioned, Amarinder Singh had revolted. I mentioned that if I withdraw, I'll proceed to work and marketing campaign like I'm the CM. 

NDTV: So you'll not revolt?

Ashok Gehlot: I'll work arduous to kind the federal government. I'm withdrawing myself. I've informed you an open secret. In Jaisalmer, when the observer had come, I used to be on the Pakistan border and I had given an interview, you should have heard it? 

NDTV: So you're saying you will not revolt even in case you are eliminated because the CM?

Ashok Gehlot: What do you imply take away? I mentioned I'm withdrawing myself. How will you take away? I am providing to withdraw myself. 

NDTV: I perceive what you're saying is that you're keen to withdraw your self. However my query is, in the event that they exchange you with Pilot, would you settle for it? 

Ashok Gehlot: How will that occur? That may't occur. 

NDTV: What in case you are changed with Pilot, would you revolt? 

Ashok Gehlot: It could possibly't be. Why are you asking such hypothetical questions?

NDTV: Pilot says in 2018, if you grew to become CM, he was promised a rotating CM formulation. 

Ashok Gehlot: It will not look good if I say one thing on this. You may ask Rahul Gandhi. 

NDTV: So are you saying nothing of the type was promised? 

Ashok Gehlot: The query doesn't even come up. Nothing like this occurred. But when he nonetheless says it, then ask Rahul Gandhi about it.

NDTV: So was there no such association?

Ashok Gehlot: There isn't any query about it. It was not even mentioned. 

NDTV: What's the concern between you and Sachin Pilot? Why not settle the problems? Is it not hurting Congress? 

Ashok Gehlot: In 2009, once I had turn into CM, and the Lok Sabha elections have been taking place, we received 20 seats right here in Rajasthan. I used to be referred to as to Delhi to satisfy the get together's Working Committee. I gave my opinion to Ahmed Patel; and Pilot is aware of about this. I beneficial that he be made a Union Minister. 

NDTV: You beneficial that Pilot be made a Union Minister? 

Ashok Gehlot: Sure. I made the advice as a result of earlier than that, 17 Gujjars have been killed right here in Rajasthan in a firing incident throughout Vasundhara Raje's time. Meenas and Gujjars had fought on the time. Namo Narain Meena was a minister already in UPA-1. This was UPA-2, and I mentioned he can be minister once more. So I mentioned, when you make a Gujjar a minister it should at the very least quell the battle between Gujjars and Meenas. It was a psychological transfer. It will additionally make governance simpler for me. I additionally received a name from Pilot asking me to advocate him for the minister publish. I mentioned 'I've spoken to them Sachin, and I've hopes, that every little thing might be high-quality.' I conveyed this to him. That is it.

NDTV: So are you saying there are not any private variations between you? Then why has this turn into such an enormous concern now? Why has it turn into Pilot versus Gehlot? 

Ashok Gehlot: This even I do not know.

NDTV: You wouldn't settle for that he has been marginalised by you?

Ashok Gehlot: The query doesn't come up. 

NDTV: Are you saying that you're keen to make peace? 

Ashok Gehlot: Overlook the problems between Pilot and me. Why is the media meddling on this?

NDTV: Lastly, you appear assured that regardless of all this, Congress will carry out, however Rajasthan has this repeating sample. 

Ashok Gehlot: There isn't any sample, we are able to break patterns. It appears to be like like it should change this time, based mostly on the response of the individuals. I feel we'd kind the federal government.

NDTV: Is there a danger that if Sachin Pilot just isn't made the CM, he'll revolt once more? 

Ashok Gehlot: You're asking hypothetical questions once more. I do not reply hypothetical questions.

NDTV: However you're a politician, and as a politician you have a look at the long run and assess if there may be any danger. Is that this a danger? Do you suppose there might be points once more?

Ashok Gehlot: All these are hypothetical questions. I've no response to them. Media ought to train individuals to like one another, to not battle. 

NDTV: We don't make individuals battle; what was our function in what occurred? Anyway, let's examine. Thanks Ashok ji that you just spoke to us. let's examine what occurs within the elections. 

Ashok Gehlot: Every thing might be high-quality.

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