Breakthrough possible?: Pilot meets Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka

Rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot met party leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi amid speculations of a positive outcome ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly session.

New Delhi: Ahead of the crucial Rajasthan Assembly session from August 14, rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday met party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra here, amidst indications of a possible breakthrough.

Top Congress sources said that the meeting took place during the afternoon at Rahul Gandhi's residence and a 'positive outcome' was expected.

Sources also confirmed to reporters that Pilot has been in touch with the top Congress leadership and a formula for his return was being worked out.

Pilot and 18 other MLAs have rebelled against the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan, leading to Pilot's sacking as Deputy Chief Minister and state party chief.

The MLAs supporting former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot are in touch with the Congress leadership in the state and have said that the party has assured them that the issues related to Rajasthan political situation will be resolved soon.

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Earlier in the day, sources had said that some of the rebel Rajasthan Congress MLAs had met senior leaders of the party and have been told to tender an unconditional apology, following which they are free to meet the top leadership and express grievances.

Rebel Congress MLAs along with former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot are reportedly staying in Haryana hotels.

Sources said that Rajasthan Congress MLAs have demanded action against Sachin Pilot and other rebel MLAs at the Congress' Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held on Sunday. State Congress in-charge Avinash Pande at the CLP meeting had sought to address the apprehensions and concerns of the Congress MLAs.

Pande reiterated that the Congress party workers must remain disciplined and should continue to follow the directives of the party high-command, several MLAs from the Congress told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had on Sunday chaired the CLP meeting at Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly session, which is scheduled to begin from August 14.

MLAs supporting Chief Minister are lodged at the hotel after differences between Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot came out in open triggering a political crisis in the state.

Pilot was removed as the Deputy Chief Minister and as the state chief of the party on July 14. Pilot was reportedly miffed after the SOG sent him a notice to record his statement in a case of alleged poaching of Congress MLAs in the state.

The Congress has accused the BJP of indulging in horse-trading to bring down the Gehlot government. However, the BJP has rejected the allegations.

(With inputs from agencies)

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