Jaipur, June 12 -- Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Friday urged all regional parties that separated from Congress to rejoin and "wholeheartedly accept Rahul Gandhi as their leader", saying the move is vital to protect democracy in India.

Addressing the political scenario on X, Gehlot backed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's earlier call, stating, "I believe that what Sanjay Raut has said has merit. The time has come. Now the fight is to save democracy. When we are all in the battlefield fighting to save democracy, then what Sanjay Raut said, I support it."

"All those parties that became regional parties after separating from Congress should rejoin, and they should wholeheartedly accept Rahul Gandhi...