‘It is believed that Gehlot has agreed to accept the elevation of Pilot in the state’.
After years of internal tussle between the two popular Congress leaders in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and ex-deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, the Congress high command seems to have resolved the issue by giving Pilot more “clarity” about his future role in the party.
It is believed that Gehlot has “agreed” to accept the elevation of Pilot in the state and also approached him with a cordial gesture about giving him greater powers in the party in coming times. Moreover, sources claim that the two national leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, had also shown a leaning towards Pilot in the recent meeting where the Gandhi scion said that Pilot in his recent protests never spoke anything against the party, but protested against the alleged corruption against the BJP government run by Vasundhara Raje, that was at the helm before the Congress government. Kharge has “signalled” to the leaders concerned that Pilot should be accommodated soon at higher positions. A senior Congress leader in Rajasthan said, “After there were talks between the top leadership, there is too much positive news in Rajasthan Congress and both the leaders seem to have agreed to the terms and conditions of the party, and this has rejuvenated the cadre. This will surely reflect in voting patterns of the electorate who will try to bring back the Congress, breaking the ‘swing state’ jinx that the state is recognized for. Moreover, we had two groups and now they have agreed to contest the elections together without any friction. But in BJP, there are at least six groups that are involved in a power struggle. And there is also news of pro-incumbency at the ground. I think, a perfect recipe is brewing in favour of Congress.”
K.C. Venugopal has said that the Ashok Gehlot government will soon introduce two Bills in the Assembly. The first Bill aims to reform the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) by establishing minimum eligibility criteria for its members. The second Bill aims to impose strict penalties on individuals involved in leaking question papers for various recruitment examinations. In a move seemingly intended to soften up towards Pilot, Gehlot this week announced that the Rajasthan government plans to introduce a bill to increase punishment for those involved in recruitment examination paper leaks. Party insiders also claim that Pilot could be made the chairman of the campaigns committee. A source privy to the developments said, “At some point in future, Pilot will be given the responsibility of the whole state and Gehlot would be invited to work at the Centre. Both the leaders will play a major role in coming times. For now, the elections will be contested without a face and both the leaders have agreed to it.”