Sachin Pilot meets Sonia Gandhi over his future role in Congress: Reports

"I talked about how we need to break the trend and return to power in Rajasthan," Sachin Pilot said after the meeting, referring to next year's elections in the state.

The ruling Congress, after being decimated in Punjab, faces the challenge of retaining Rajasthan in the upcoming elections.

Sachin Pilot's future role in Rajasthan was discussed in the meeting, media reports quoting sources said.

The last posts he held were those of Rajasthan Congress chief and Deputy Chief Minister, both of which he lost when he rebelled in 2020.

"I have talked about the future of the Congress and how to take it forward in the state of Rajasthan...how we need to break the trend and return to power. Certain steps need to be taken to further strengthen the party," he told reporters.

Asked whether he would accept a national role instead of the top post in Rajasthan, with Ashok Gehlot unlikely to yield, Sachin Pilot said: "I have always made it clear to play my part in any role given but I would definitely like to focus on my state Rajasthan."

Sachin Pilot has made it clear to the Gandhis his wish to become Chief Minister of Rajasthan, a post for which he had fought in 2018 but was persuaded to settle for the post of Ashok Gehlot's deputy.