In the midst of a simmering political feud within the Rajasthan Congress, party leaders are preparing for a crucial meeting next week in an attempt to find a solution to the ongoing conflict between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot. However, finding common ground and achieving a photo op with both leaders smiling and reconciling may prove to be a challenging task.
Tensions have been brewing between Gehlot and Pilot for some time now, with Pilot accusing Gehlot of disregarding his position and treating him disrespectfully. He further criticized Gehlot for considering Jyotiraditya Scindia as his leader instead of Sonia Gandhi, the party’s high command. Pilot has expressed his frustration at being repeatedly humiliated and subjected to name-calling by the Chief Minister.
Adding fuel to the fire, Gehlot’s official adviser, Sanyam Lodha, recently questioned why Pilot had not vacated the official residence despite no longer holding the position of deputy chief minister. This demand, reminiscent of a similar situation involving senior leader Rahul Gandhi and the Narendra Modi-led government, threatens to become yet another contentious point between Pilot and Gehlot.
While Gehlot has made it clear that he does not trust Pilot, stating that his public actions, such as organizing the ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra,’ only serve to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party leadership recognizes the need for a resolution. The CM even labeled Pilot’s call for an investigation into an alleged exam scam involving former CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia as “craziness.”
In order to find a way forward, the Congress high command has scheduled a meeting for next week, during which various proposals will be discussed. One such proposal is to appoint Pilot as the state Congress chief. However, sources suggest that Gehlot may not be fully supportive of this option, as it would grant the state unit chief significant influence over ticket distribution during elections, effectively giving them power over the party.
The Congress leadership treads carefully, as they are mindful of the potential repercussions of taking disciplinary action against Pilot for holding an unofficial yatra. Pilot’s strong support among the Gujjar community, which holds a substantial number of seats not only in Rajasthan but also in Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, makes the party cautious about making any moves that could alienate this crucial voter base.
As the meeting approaches, all eyes are on the Rajasthan Congress and its efforts to resolve the deep-rooted differences between Gehlot and Pilot. While the path to reconciliation may be challenging, the party’s future unity and electoral prospects may depend on finding a solution that satisfies both leaders and ensures a harmonious working relationship moving forward.
