The crucial Rajasthan conference is scheduled for the following week, and the Congress high leadership is expecting for resolution. However, it could be difficult to get a picture of party leader Sachin Pilot and chief minister Ashok Gehlot grinning and making up as a sign that all is OK.
Only a few days before to the meeting, Sanyam Lodha, the chief minister’s official advisor, questioned why Sachin Pilot had not left the official house despite no longer serving as deputy chief minister. This was an indication that things between the two leaders may not be smooth. Senior leader Rahul Gandhi was asked to leave his official residence, and this sparked the latest dispute between the Narendra Modi-led administration and the Congress. So, will Pilot and the CM clash over this demand, which is apparently made on behalf of Gehlot?
Pilot’s public stance, such as conducting the “Jan Sangharsh Yatra,” would only give the BJP more confidence, according to Gehlot, who has made it obvious that he does not trust Pilot. In fact, the CM recently referred to Pilot’s call for an inquiry into the exam fraud reportedly involving previous CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia as “craziness” on his behalf.
Pilot has said that Gehlot considers Scindia to be his leader rather than Sonia Gandhi and has refused to be restricted any longer. In addition, he claims that the CM continuously called him names and humiliated him.
The Congress is hesitant to take action against Pilot despite the fact that state incharge Sukhvinder Randhawa has requested it because of his organization of an unauthorised yatra. Given that Pilot is from the Gujjar community, which controls a sizable number of seats not just in Rajasthan but also in Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, Kamalnath, for instance, has made it obvious that such a move would backfire.
Due to this, the party will convene next week to try to come up with a solution. There are several suggestions being discussed. Pilot may become the state Congress leader, for instance. According to sources, Gehlot is not as excited about this as he should be since the state unit leader would also have control over ticket allocation during election season, giving them control over the party as a whole.
Pilot is adamant in becoming CM. A party seeks to contain this, but it is clear from the verbal combat and the most recent scandal around his home that the storm has not yet passed.
