Amid Talk of Rajasthan Cabinet Reshuffle, Sachin Pilot Meets Sonia Gandhi

"It's essential to form government in 2023 again," Pilot said after the meeting.

Bhupesh Baghel, Sachin Pilot and Sonia Gandhi.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Congress leader Sachin Pilot met with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath, on Friday morning, 12 November, a day after her meeting with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot regarding a more expansive, accommodating cabinet in the state.

"Less than two years are left for Rajasthan Assembly polls, we want to strengthen the organisation for it. It's essential to form the government in 2023 again. The party will take decisions keeping experience, creditability, regional balance, caste combinations in mind," Pilot said after the meeting, reported ANI.

"It is very good that Sonia Gandhi ji is constantly seeking feedback on what needs to be done. We need to focus on how to get re-elected in Rajasthan. At the right time, AICC, general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken will take appropriate decision regarding Rajasthan," he added.

Pilot's meeting comes a day after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met with Sonia Gandhi in Delhi. As per reports, Gehlot is being encouraged to resolve a persistent feud in the party, with top Congress leaders urging him to include Pilot's supporters in the cabinet.

"We are all Congress. There is no 'you and me'. There are a few vacancies in the state cabinet. All factors will be considered by the high command in filling these vacancies. I hope the party will take the right decision," he said after the 45-minute meeting, as per NDTV.

The top leader is keen on a long-pending cabinet expansion, a reshuffling of the state party unit as well as appointments to various boards and corporations, The Indian Express reported.

On Wednesday, Gehlot had met with Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal in the national capital.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was also scheduled to meet Sonia Gandhi on Friday, ANI reported.

Earlier in the day, Baghel, who is also the senior observer for UP Congress Committee, held a meeting with Congress general secretary in-charge of UP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over 2022 Assembly elections, as per ANI.

(With inputs from ANI, NDTV, and The Indian Express.)