Congress High Command Considers Options for Sachin Pilot's Political Rehabilitation in Rajasthan
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Following the appointment of TS Singhdeo as Deputy Chief Minister in Chhattisgarh, the Congress High Command is now focusing on resolving the issues between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan. Efforts are underway to bring Sachin Pilot back into the mainstream by offering him a significant role within the party. Three options are being considered, and a final decision will be made after discussions with Rahul Gandhi, who is currently on a tour in Manipur.
The Congress High Command aims to settle the Gehlot-Pilot dispute before the assembly election campaign begins. To achieve this, a sharing formula has been devised, and steps are being taken to implement it. Feedback received by the party suggests that without reconciling with the Pilot camp, the resentment against the government will persist. Therefore, plans are being made to unite both camps and present a united front in the upcoming elections.
Three options have been prepared for Sachin Pilot's political rehabilitation. The first option is to appoint him as the National General Secretary and a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), as well as the Chairman of the campaign committee for the assembly elections. This option has been discussed previously and is expected to receive acceptance from both camps.
The second option is to reinstate Pilot as the state president and appoint an MLA from his camp as Deputy Chief Minister. However, the Gehlot camp is opposing this option, as it would require a cabinet reshuffle and remove Govind Singh Dotasara, the current state president. The Gehlot camp argues that removing Dotasara, a leader from the Jat community, from the post of state president in an election year could lead to the dissatisfaction of a significant vote bank. As a potential compromise, the option of appointing Dotasara as Deputy CM to balance the Jat vote bank is also being considered.
Apart from these two options, a third option is still under discussion and is expected to be finalized after Rahul Gandhi's return from his Manipur tour. It is likely that a face-to-face meeting between CM Gehlot and Sachin Pilot will take place to discuss this option, which could involve making Pilot the face of the Congress in the elections. However, no final decisions have been made yet.
It's important to note that the situation of TS Singhdeo in Chhattisgarh cannot be compared to that of Sachin Pilot. While Singhdeo expressed internal dissatisfaction, Pilot openly confronted the government and Ashok Gehlot, leading to a rebellion in July 2020. Singhdeo reconciled with the party in August 2020, while Pilot's demands, including his claim for the Chief Minister's post, have remained a contentious issue.
Sachin Pilot had presented three demands during his rebellion, which were rejected by CM Gehlot. These demands included compensation for youth affected by a paper leak, reconstitution of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), and investigation into corruption during the Vasundhara Raje government. Gehlot dismissed these demands, and finding a middle ground on these issues remains a challenge.
Since the reconciliation meeting between Gehlot and Pilot, both leaders have toned down their rhetoric against each other. The positive change in their attitudes is believed to be a result of the party's intervention and efforts to resolve the internal conflicts.
Sachin Pilot is also concerned about the distribution of tickets to his supporters. He seeks a role in the ticket distribution process to ensure his supporters are given due importance. It is expected that Pilot will be given a place in the election committees, and discussions are underway to address his concerns regarding ticket distribution.
The reconciliation between Gehlot and Pilot sends a positive message to Congress workers, indicating unity within the party. It also signifies that the party leadership is taking Pilot seriously and has reached an agreement acceptable to him. Gehlot's statement reflects his satisfaction with the discussions held at the high command level regarding future politics. As of now, there is no crisis on Gehlot's Chief Ministerial position until the elections.
