Sachin Pilot Defies Expectations, Focuses on Father's Legacy Amid Political Speculations
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi held extensive discussions with Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot the previous week
Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot disappointed observers who were expecting him to establish a new political entity or intensify his feud with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Instead, he spearheaded a grand event in Dausa, his hometown, commemorating the death anniversary of his father, Rajesh Pilot. During the event, the 45-year-old emphasized his role as an anti-corruption crusader and advocate for the underprivileged, even if it meant challenging his own party's government.
The occasion comprised the customary memorial service, featuring prayers at Rajesh Pilot's statue and the unveiling of a new statue at a Gujjar hostel. The event generated significant attention as speculations circulated about its potential implications for Rajasthan politics.
Prior to the gathering, Sachin Pilot's supporters dismissed rumors of him launching a new party with only six months left until the Rajasthan elections. However, the Congress leader maintained an enigmatic silence on the matter, leaving everyone guessing about his next move.
The Congress party sought to quell rumors about a new party formation, affirming their commitment to contest the elections together. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate addressed the developments in Rajasthan, stating, "Our party president, and we surely feel there will be a positive solution to this issue."
Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal also dismissed speculation of Sachin Pilot forming his own party, emphasizing that the Congress would contest the Rajasthan assembly polls as a united front.
In separate Twitter messages, both Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot praised Rajesh Pilot, without directly addressing the existing tension between them.
In an effort to ease the strained relationship between the party's top leaders in an election year, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi held extensive discussions with Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot the previous week. Following the meetings, the party announced that Gehlot and Pilot had agreed to jointly contest the upcoming assembly elections, with the party leadership tasked with resolving any remaining issues.
Since the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in 2018, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot have been engaged in a power struggle. In 2020, Pilot led a rebellion against the Gehlot government, resulting in his removal from the positions of state unit president and Deputy Chief Minister. The Congress leadership's attempt to effect a leadership change in Rajasthan last year was unsuccessful due to the resistance of Gehlot's loyalists, who prevented a legislature party meeting from taking place.
Sources close to Sachin Pilot have indicated that he seeks a resolution to the issues he has raised, particularly his demand for the Ashok Gehlot government to take action against alleged corruption during the previous BJP regime.
