Crisis now a closed chapter, says Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

JAISALMER: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the crisis that emerged after Sachin Pilot raised a banner of revolt nearly a month ago was now a ‘closed chapter’.
Gehlot gave a call to forget, forgive and move on in the interest of the country and state.
With regard to Congress MLAs being upset over being lodged in hotels for a month, Gehlot told reporters, “It is natural for them to be upset. The way this episode happened, they had to stay in hotels... so it was natural to be upset.”
He further said that they will be persuaded. Staying away from home, family and their constituency is difficult. “I have exhorted them that in the interest of the country, state, people of the state and for saving democracy, sometimes we have to bear,” he said.
Without naming Pilot, he said, “Forget, forgive and move on in the interest of the country, state, and democracy, which is in danger. Our MLAs have extended their full support in the fight to save democracy. This fight will continue in the future too. People of the state gave us the mandate to form a government. It is our responsibility to maintain that trust and serve the people, give good governance and fight corona.”
He said it is the victory of the people. “We got phone calls asking us not to worry even if it takes a month or two. People wanted victory of the government and stability,” he added.
On the month-long stay in hotels, the CM said the mutual relations between the MLAs have improved a lot. “When you stay with each other for a month, the relations become good,” he said.
Gehlot said he had recently shot a letter to all the MLAs, including opposition, asking them to listen to the voice of conscience and people to save democracy and stand with the truth. “I can say with confidence that this letter had a great impact. This was the reason that three planes were hired by the BJP to send its MLAs to Gujarat,” the CM said.
Gehlot reiterated the allegation that the BJP was trying to topple his government and said it was fully ‘exposed’. “They taunted us for taking our MLAs to hotels. Now, what has forced them to put their MLAs in camp? They stand exposed. The entire game was theirs, there was a conspiracy to topple the government,” he added.
However, it could not succeed in its game... ‘Satyamev Jayate’, he said. The BJP has in the past denied Gehlot’s allegations.
With inputs from agencies