Ahead Of Rajasthan Election, Sachin Pilot's Solo Campaign Raises Concern For Congress

Youth Congress leader Sachin Pilot's plan to hold rallies across Rajasthan could lead to fresh tussle in the state unit of Congress. Assembly elections in the state are just 10 months away. Significantly, under the series of public meetings, the pilots will address farmers and youth from next week. Reports say that despite the successful Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot has decided to start this solo campaign as a pressure tactic on the unresolved leadership issue. Sources close to Pilot have refuted reports of an "ultimatum", saying that the step has been taken to maintain the enthusiasm among the people, especially the youth and farmers, after the Bharat Jodo Yatra and to infuse energy in them ahead of the assembly. Elections are to be held in Rajasthan at the end of this year.

Observers believe that Sachin Pilot's 'political calculation' to maintain his relevance in Rajasthan is also behind this move as state Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara is busy with grassroots organization work and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is presenting his last budget of this term.

Sources said that Pilot's intention behind this is to maintain his relevance in the party and to show himself active in the election year. Former Deputy CM (Sachin Pilot) is reportedly planning to visit Jat dominated areas to ensure that the party is not wiped out like in 2003 or 2013.

A leader close to Pilot said, "The BJP is campaigning aggressively, we cannot ignore it"

Sources said that this campaign of Pilot has got the consent of Rahul Gandhi. He has not taken permission from the All India Congress Committee (AICC). “At this stage, is it needed as a state leader?” sources asked. Regarding this, Gehlot had said, "A traitor cannot be the Chief Minister. The high command cannot make Sachin Pilot the chief minister…a man who does not even have 10 MLAs, who rebelled. The one who betrayed the party, (he) is a traitor."

Confrontation between Gehlot-Pilot started when both of them staked claim for the post of Chief Minister

The confrontation between Gehlot-Pilot started when both of them staked claim for the post of Chief Minister after the victory of Congress in Rajasthan in 2018. This confrontation reached its peak in the year 2020 when Pilot along with 20 of his supporting MLAs took a rebellious attitude and camped in Delhi for weeks. This 'rebellion' ended after the Gandhi family assured the pilot of change. However, since then this issue has not yet reached a solution

On this issue, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Friday that the new president Mallikarjun Kharge is looking for a solution that will benefit the party organization. He said, "Organization is supreme. Leaders come and go. Rahul ji has also said that both Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot are 'assets' (assets) for the party."

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