The ex deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot has been seeking full control of the Congress cadre in state which has seemingly halted the high command’s decision of making changes in the cadre. Moreover, Pilot is also heard to have sought zero-indulgence of his intra-party rival Ashok Gehlot in the state affairs.
It is believed that Pilot’s ascension would sideline Ashok Gehlot’s which could impact the Lok Sabha performance of the grand old party in Rajasthan. Word is, Gehlot has been seeking a general secretary position in All India Congress Committee (AICC) after he lost his chief ministerial chair in Rajasthan. For which, according to party insiders, he has been in touch with the major political players in the party. The buzz is, Gehlot may also have reached out to Congress treasurer Ajay Maken in such a pursuit. Maken had resigned last year as Rajasthan incharge after not being able to gel with Gehlot who had consistently tried to push Maken out in the functioning of the then state affairs.
However, on the other side, Pilot is seen to have resisted Gehlot being awarded a position in the party. A source said, “Gehlot has been doing such a “shifting” exercise since he first becomes the CM. Each time he loses an assembly election, he seeks a position in the party and lobbies his way out to become the CM the next time the Congress wins. Such has been his programmed activity. Therefore, Pilot doesn’t want that. He wants to have the Rajasthan all by himself now.”
He further added, “He doesn’t want any intervention of Gehlot. He knows that if Gehlot is made general secretary, it will again reduce his power and he can’t flex his political muscles the way he wants. Moreover, there would again be a threat of Gehlot taking over as CM the next time if Congress comes to power in Rajasthan. He also knows Gehlot hasn’t been kind to him. So by seeking control of Rajasthan and resisting any big appointment of Gehlot, his strategy will play both ways. It will reduce Gehlot down to size and also give him space to emerge as the only top leader in Rajasthan Congress.”
In addition to that, Pilot also has a strong bargaining point on his side. As Gehlot had crippled every major leader during the campaigning, from Gandhis to Sachin pilot, in the state believing that he can alone make the Congress shine over BJP. Yet, he couldn’t live up to his own expectations putting all the onus of defeat directly on him.
Party’s internal assessment has also shown lesser connect developed by its incumbent leaders with the electorate during Gehlot’s leadership as CM. Political analyst Vaarin Rao said, “People do not like their elected leader to disappear after winning elections.