Congress high command may take a call on Sachin Pilot as well.
New Delhi
Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge is likely to constitute his team soon. The exercise will considerably impact the politics of various states, especially Rajasthan. Sources say Kharge may surprise many by his decisions. There is speculation that two vice presidents or a working president could be appointed. All eyes are, therefore, on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The party does not want her to be confined in UP only. It will be interesting to see whether K.C. Venugopal will continue to be the general secretary in charge of the organisation or he will be given some other responsibility. According to sources, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Venugopal may be elevated as vice president or working president. The party might elevate their stature. Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is in charge of Karnataka, is hopeful of promotion, thanks to Congress’ victory in the southern state.
Another important decision will be about Sachin Pilot, which will have far-reaching implications for the politics in Rajasthan. The high command will have no option but to take a call on Pilot as he is continuing to attack his own party government in Rajasthan. This is harming the party’s prospects. The BJP, which has no issues to raise against the Gehlot government so far, is banking on Congress’ infighting. The high command is aware that the Gehlot government’s policies are giving the Congress an advantage in poll-bound states. So, it will not take any chances by allowing the internal tussle to drag on. The BJP is more worried about Rajasthan than any other state, as it knows that a repeat of the Congress government in the desert state will make its 2024 battle a more challenging task. The saffron party made some organisational changes, but exercise did not work much. Factionalism is rampant in the BJP whose leadership is weak in front of Gehlot. Sachin and his supporters are still in the role of opposition. Sachin is pleasing a big faction of BJP by targeting both CM Gehlot and former CM Vasundhara Raje. In fact, by targeting Raje on the corruption issue, Pilot has ended up giving out a message that Congress’ government is soft on corruption. Pilot’s campaign is giving further strength to BJP which is targeting the Gehlot government over alleged corruption issues. This is what Congress had done in Karnataka when it attacked the Bommai government over corruption.
Sachin seems to be getting no political benefit from whatever he is doing. Congress’ big win in Karnataka has also upset his strategy. Survey on the scope of a new political outfit in Rajasthan does not show any encouraging result. Only 4-5 seats might go to a new party.
The BJP wants Sachin to stay in Congress and do whatever can benefit the saffron party. Now Pilot has two options left with him. One, he can continue to be in the Congress and work honestly. Two, he can join BJP if it allows him to do so. A big faction is of the view that Pilot should not be allowed to be in the Congress under the present circumstances.
It feels that Pilot’s supporters cannot bring votes for the Congress. According to sources, Sachin has been offered the general secretary post with charge of either Maharashtra or UP. If it happens then Sachin will continue to be in the party and internal war in Rajasthan will be controlled to some extent. If he is appointed campaign committee head, then it will be interesting to see whether his supporters will work for the Congress sincerely. Therefore, constituting a new team is a challenging job for Kharge. The party wants to elevate the stature of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Venugopal.
Therefore, two vice president’s posts can be created for them. With this being the case, Surjewala will then be given the post of organisational in charge. His clout has grown and he is a Hindi speaking leader as well. It will also be difficult to decide on who will replace Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in UP. Kharge will decide on Mukil Wasnik who has no state under him.
Changes will be made in many poll-bound states. Kharge will carry out a much-delayed exercise of team formation after Rahul Gandhi returns from abroad.