Singing is a good way to pass time and if the singers happen to be a group of MLAs from politically-volatile Rajasthan, sequestered in a hotel, singing the anthem of hope, the exercise takes a whole new meaning.

In a video tweeted by news agency ANI, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, involved in a court battle with his ex-deputy Sachin Pilot, can be seen singing ‘Ham honge kamyaab..(we shall overcome’ in Jaipur’s Hotel Fairmont. Gehlot camp loyalists were shifted to this hotel last night after a full-fledged battle between the Chief Minister and Pilot erupted over the control of the party.

The video starts with the MLAs starting tentatively before picking the beat and singing along. A smiling Gehlot is also seen in the video. It is not clear when the video was shot.

Gehlot and Pilot have been at odds since 2018 Assembly elections when Congress returned to power in the state. Pilot, claiming it was his hard work as PCC chief that saw the party gaining, staked claim to the Chief MInnister’s post. That round went to Gehlot as party picked the 69-year-old veteran over Pilot, 42.

The two continued to spar off and on, at times publicly and last week Pilot walked out, reportedly with 18 MLAs. Pilot was sacked as the Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the president of the state Congress unit after this rebellion.

This triggered a race for numbers in the Assembly with both sides shifting their loyalists to hotels. The Speaker sent showcause notices to 19 Congress rebels that was challenged in the high court. The case is currently being heard in the high court.