DAUSA, Rajasthan – In a much-anticipated mega event commemorating the death anniversary of his father, Rajesh Pilot, Sachin Pilot, the prominent Rajasthan Congress leader, disappointed with speculations of launching a new political party or escalating his feud with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Amidst fervent rumours and conjectures, Pilot used the platform to emphasize his commitment to clean politics and his unwavering determination to fight against corruption and for the upliftment of the underprivileged.
Addressing the gathered supporters in his home turf of Dausa, Pilot highlighted his dedication to a better future for the youth and the need for politics grounded in truth. “I have always been vocal about the aspirations of our youth. The people here have consistently supported me. I refuse to step back. Our nation demands politics that uphold integrity. I will not allow anyone to gamble with the future of our youth. My policy is crystal clear – I stand for clean politics,” he asserted.
Pilot’s memorial service, held annually, commenced with prayers at the statue of his late father, Rajesh Pilot, followed by the unveiling of a new statue at a Gujjar hostel. The event attracted significant attention as it was seen as a potential turning point in Rajasthan’s political landscape.
Prior to the event, Pilot’s supporters vehemently denied rumours of him launching a new party with the state elections just six months away. However, Pilot’s enigmatic silence on the matter only fueled speculation, leaving everyone wondering about his next move.
Attempting to quell the rumours, the Congress party has emphasized their unity and commitment to fighting the elections together. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stated, “Our party president and we firmly believe that a positive solution will emerge from this issue.”
Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal also dismissed the rumours, reaffirming that Pilot will not announce his own party and that Congress will contest the upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan as a united front. “I don’t believe in rumours. The reality is that the Congress president and Rahul Gandhi have discussed this with Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, and we have decided to go together. That is the position of the Congress party,” Venugopal clarified to the media.
Notably, both Pilot and Gehlot shared messages on Twitter commemorating Rajesh Pilot’s legacy but refrained from addressing the underlying tension between them.
In an effort to defuse the ongoing power struggle between the two leaders in an election year, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi held extensive discussions with Gehlot and Pilot. The party subsequently announced that Gehlot and Pilot have agreed to fight the upcoming assembly elections in unity, leaving all outstanding issues to be resolved by the party’s leadership.
The power tussle between Gehlot and Pilot dates back to 2018 when the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan. In 2020, Pilot led a revolt against the Gehlot government, resulting in his removal from the positions of the party’s state unit president and Deputy Chief Minister. The Congress’ attempts to effect a leadership change in Rajasthan last year were unsuccessful due to staunch resistance from Gehlot’s loyalists who prevented a legislature party meeting from taking place. Sources close to Pilot assert that he seeks a resolution of the issues he has raised, particularly his demand for the Gehlot government to take action against alleged corruption during the previous BJP regime.
Reportedly, Pilot has taken a principled stance, with corruption and paper leaks being his foremost concerns. In addition to addressing corruption, Pilot’s demands include the reconstitution of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) and fresh appointments to it, along with compensation for those affected by the cancellation of government recruitment exams following paper
