‘Restore my dignity,’ Pilot tells Congress brass

NEW DELHI: Caught in a bind after Sachin Pilot’s defiance, Congress on Thursday held a flurry of meetings and also reached out to the young leader in a bid to resolve the crisis, lest it renew infighting in the Rajasthan unit ahead of the end-year elections.
In an important outreach, Congress veteran Kamal Nath and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal met Pilot for an hour-long talk, the first discussion with the Rajasthan leader after his fast targeting CM Ashok Gehlot’s “inaction” against allegedcorruption by former BJP CM Vasundhara Raje. Sources said the party has told Pilot that it values his membership and wants a reconciliation. In return, Pilot is learnt to have said that “his dignity should be restored”. While the party has asked Pilot to suggest the possible way out, he is learnt to have responded that he will get back. Sources said talks with Pilot were “cordial” and the party is looking for ways to resolve the crisis. It is learnt Pilot protested the AICC statement dubbing his dharna as “anti party” on the eve of his protest.