Jaipur, June 8 -- Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday accused senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot of stoking the party's 2022 turmoil for personal advancement, saying the episode of September 25 was aimed at blocking Pilot's elevation rather than challenging the Congress high command. Speaking about the internal crisis that rocked the Rajasthan Congress in 2022, Gehlot said the controversy was misrepresented and that the then-legislators' concerns were focused on Pilot, not the party leadership in Delhi. In September 2022 the a section of Rajasthan Congress MLAs boycotted a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, effectively blocking a leadership-transition plan discussed at the national level. The move came amid speculation that Pilot could be elevated as chief minister, triggering deep factional tensions within the state unit. Addressing the media in Jaipur on Sunday, Gehlot said the mass gathering of MLAs during the crisis reflected their unwillingness to accept Pilot as chief minister. He argued that if it had truly been a rebellion against the Congress high command, he would not have remained chief minister afterwards. "If I had rebelled against the high command, would they have kept me as chief minister?" Gehlot asked, rejecting allegations that he had defied the party leadership. He said the MLAs had made it clear they would accept any leader except Pilot, alleging that many believed Pilot was being projected as the next chief minister at that time. Gehlot reiterated that around 100 MLAs had gathered during the crisis and expressed loyalty to the party leadership while opposing Pilot's elevation. According to him, legislators said they had been confined to hotels during the turmoil and demanded that a leader loyal to the high command be chosen instead of Pilot, whom they linked to an earlier internal rebellion episode in Manesar. Questioning the political developments of that day, Gehlot noted that when leadership changes are anticipated, MLAs usually align with the incoming leader. He asked why legislators did not approach Pilot if he was indeed being projected as the next chief minister, suggesting the situation had been shaped by internal narratives and speculation. Revisiting his earlier reconciliation attempt, Gehlot said he had publicly called for a "forgive and forget" approach to the internal crisis. "I had said 'forget and forgive'. If that had been understood, the Manesar issue would not still be alive," he said. He added that misunderstandings and a refusal to accept mistakes have kept the controversy alive. Gehlot described his long-standing association with Pilot personally, saying he had known him since childhood and continued to regard him with affection. "I still consider him like a child," Gehlot said, adding that Pilot had now spent years in politics and should understand internal party dynamics better. At the same time, he suggested Pilot was being influenced by advisors, contributing to continued tensions. Gehlot also criticised sections of the media for repeatedly projecting Pilot in top leadership roles, including as a potential prime ministerial candidate or Congress president. He said such speculation had created unnecessary political pressure and confusion within the party. Gehlot said he had helped Pilot secure a Union ministerial position in the past, but expressed disappointment that Pilot never publicly acknowledged his support. He said even a simple acknowledgment would have meant a lot to him, adding that mutual recognition of support is important in politics. Gehlot also referred to Congress leadership dynamics, mentioning senior party figures including Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan leaders such as Govind Singh Dotasra and Tika Ram Jully, saying the party continues to emphasise unity and collective functioning in the state. He said Gandhi had recently appreciated the coordination among Rajasthan Congress leaders, calling it a positive sign for the party's organisational strength. Gehlot said the core issue was the failure to accept mistakes and the persistence of political misunderstandings. "Truth has no alternative," he said, adding that internal differences should be resolved rather than allowed to escalate repeatedly. HT reached out to both Pilot and his office for comments on Gehlot's statement. There was no response....