New Delhi: Who is responsible for the current political crisis in Rajasthan that threatens the stability of the Congress-led government — Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot or his deputy Sachin Pilot?
On the face of it, Pilot looks like a Congress rebel who is bent on breaking the party to realise his chief ministerial ambition, in cahoots with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). At least four senior Congress functionaries who are in the know, however, told ThePrint that it’s Gehlot who has “deliberately” triggered the crisis to “get rid of” his deputy and potential successor.
The functionaries say the CM went for the kill after he felt assured of a majority in the 200-member state assembly. In the recent Rajya Sabha election, two Congress candidates together got 123 votes, including the party’s 107 MLAs, 13 independents and three from smaller parties.
Also read: Congress calls legislature party meet as Gehlot-Pilot rift continues, issues whip to MLAs
‘The CM baited him and Pilot took it’
The trigger for Pilot’s rebellion was a notice issued to him, the CM and others by the Rajasthan Police’s Special Operation Group (SOG) to record their statements in connection with the arrest of two BJP leaders for their alleged attempt to topple the Congress government. Rajasthan Police sources in Jaipur told ThePrint that after getting “instructions” to send notices to the CM and the deputy CM, the SOG had gone back to the police brass for re-confirmation. The notices were sent only after the CM, who holds the home portfolio, re-iterated his instruction.
Pilot could see that the notices might have been sent to many people, but he was the main target, said Congress leaders.
They said Pilot was sensing an attempt by the CM to “finish him politically”, and had conveyed his apprehensions to the high command last week. He didn’t hear from the Delhi leadership, and then came the SOG notice, provoking him enough to launch the rebellion.
“This is what Ashok Gehlot wanted. He has thoroughly discredited Pilot. If Gehlot is able to save the government, which he is sure about, it would deliver irreparable damage to Pilot’s standing in the party. The CM baited him and Pilot took it,” a senior party leader explained to ThePrint.
Congress functionaries in the government said the “hostility” between the CM and his deputy was there for all to see. In one of the video-conferences attended by all district collectors and police officers, when the chief secretary asked Gehlot whether he should invite the Deputy CM to address them, the CM snapped, “Arre chhodo (forget it).” Pilot, who was also attending the video-conference, could hear that snub. Gehlot was even putting a squeeze on the release of funds to the public works department, held by Pilot, said a Congress functionary close to the deputy CM.
Why did Gehlot take such a risk?
So, why did Gehlot play such a risky gambit that may even end up bringing his government down? Congress sources say that the CM was preparing the ground for post-2023. If Pilot hung around till the next election, he would be the undisputed successor to Gehlot in the party and also in the government if the Congress were to get a renewed mandate, said another senior Congress functionary.
“The high command had denied CMship to Pilot in 2018 but there is no way that the young leader could be denied primacy in the state Congress after 2023 by when Gehlot would be around 73 years old. The veteran leader must, therefore, get his putative successor out of the way. Unfortunately, Sachin couldn’t read his long-term game plan,” this functionary said.
In the immediate context, Gehlot wanted Pilot to be removed as state Congress president, a post he has held since January 2014.
“Even if Pilot was marginalised in the government, he held sway in the party as the state unit president. Gehlot wanted to end that. But the real objective of the SOG notice was to trigger a situation where Sachin goes the Jyotiraditya Scindia way, without destabilising the government,” said the leader quoted above.
If Pilot is out of the way, Gehlot can focus on re-building his son Vaibhav’s political future that received a setback in the last Lok Sabha polls when he lost in his father’s stronghold, Jodhpur.
Also read: Congress now has a combative, Modi-questioning Ashok Gehlot, who is no more camera shy
I strongly feel that he will surely comes out with flying colours bc people are watching/evaluating 24×7 basis now a days. It would be going to damage the grand old party’s image ( whatever left) further in long run. If any party is unable to find/elect even a President for so long and boasts about Democracy, it is not going to digest by anyone.
Also first time came across the Respected writer’s unbiased article with facts.
Congress top leadership not able to give importance to talent and allowing politics within party. I feel Sachin pilot worked hard for people in wrong party. His father was also in congress but now it’s time for him to take decision as congress top leadership won’t change its attitude.
Nepotism in Congress will lead to its collapse one day . In 2019 BJP was united and fought in a single phalanx, whereas congress leaders were worried for their sons and rahul fought alone and lost. Sidelining able leaders like Sachin will be very harmful in the long term
Congress will loose elections because of the back- stabbing , power greedy Gehlot. It is full of greedy politicians
BJP is waste of party. The No.1 leading party Congress.
Definitely Cong is going to loose Rajasthan also as BJP’s master planners waiting for the Govt.’s own collapse. Once that happened, Cong. can’t think of coming back. Young leaders are now need of the hour for Cong. revival if at all they need that to happen and happen quickly.
Arey Singh Saheb! Ye sab Chhodiye and Gupta ji ki mansikta se Baahar aaiye! Desh hai to hum hain.
No Wonder this nation Genuinely needs BJP,a party where boys who help paste posters for the party have a considerable probability of becoming PM and Party president candidates
I am surprised that no Print journalist has yet attributed the internal issues of Congress to p
BJP.
Striking parallel with Tarun / Gaurav Gogoi and Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Though Sachin himself a dynast i feel sorry for him. Unlike other dynast who consider position as entitlement and privilege including RG, Sachin earned his position but of his hard work. He could have still waited for his chance as he is just 42. But if i suppose to believe what this author says, he acted naive and walked into the trap set by a cunning old fox. Unlike Jagan he dont have money power and coward gandhis will do anything to keep their position safe. For sure its a loss of face for a good politician like Sachin. Hope he comes out of this stronger.