Congress leaders unite at Rajesh Pilot memorial event in Rajasthan

Senior Congress leaders gather to commemorate Rajesh Pilot's death anniversary, showcasing support for son Sachin Pilot.

Cutting across intra-party divisions, senior Congress leaders from Rajasthan and other States gathered in large numbers at Bhandana in Dausa district on Wednesday to mark the 25th death anniversary of former Union Minister Rajesh Pilot. The commemorative event, titled ‘Prerna Diwas’ (Inspiration Day), emerged as a significant show of strength for his son, former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot.

The ceremony was held at the memorial site in Bhandana, where Mr. Rajesh Pilot lost his life in a road accident in 2000. A five-time MP from Dausa between 1984 and 1999, Mr. Pilot is widely remembered in the region as a champion of farmers’ welfare and grassroots development.

Congress leaders from Delhi and Rajasthan were in attendance, including nine sitting Members of Parliament, 47 out of the Congress’s 66 MLAs in the State Assembly, 83 former Ministers, MPs and MLAs, and 46 functionaries of the party’s various frontal organisations. The observance featured an all-religion prayer, a two-minute silence, devotional song renditions, and an exhibition showcasing Mr. Pilot’s photographs, personal belongings, and milestones from his career as an Indian Air Force fighter pilot and parliamentarian.

Veteran leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot - who has had a strained relationship with Mr. Sachin Pilot since the political crisis of 2020 - was among the most notable attendees. Mr. Pilot had personally visited Mr. Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur last week to extend an invitation, signalling a thaw in relations.

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Gehlot said, “We were never far apart… We have always been together and we share a lot of affection. It is you [media] who think that there is distance between us.” He also paid tribute to the late leader, stating, “He left us too soon and we still remember him. Rajesh Ji and I were together as MPs for 18 years.”

Though the organisers sought to maintain a non-political tone, party workers raised slogans for Mr. Sachin Pilot and his late father during the screening of a short film highlighting the latter’s personal and political journey. “Rajesh Pilot’s truth, dedication, hard work and his smiling face will continue to inspire us,” Mr. Pilot said. “He proved that a person could stay untainted even while sitting on high positions.”

Among the prominent leaders present were AICC State in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib, All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba, and National Students’ Union of India president Varun Choudhary.