Gehlot's aggressive outburst, a meticulously planned strategy to oust 'rebel' Pilot ?

When it comes to injecting some energetic leadership of young blood and fresh thinking, Congress always had Pilot in mind for Rajasthan. But if he gets out of the way, Gehlot can focus on re-building his son's political future. Gehlot's aggressive outburst might be a meticulously planned strategy to oust young 'rebel' Sachin Pilot, reports ETV Bharat reporter Niyamika Singh.

New Delhi:At the time when Rajasthan political crisis is threatening the stability of Congress-led Government, the no-holds-barred attack by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot against his former deputy Sachin Pilot, is not just an outburst of the leader but also a message to party leadership not to have any hopes to mend bridge between the two.

Gehlot made a veiled attack to the 'rebel' Sachin Pilot, calling him a "nikamma" and "nakaara", when he is being wooed by party's top brass including P Chidambaram, Ahmed Patel, KC Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

A Congress leader told ETV Bharat, on the condition of anonymity, that such kind of intemperate language, gives a very clear message that he doesn't want Pilot's return to the party.

"As per his claims, even if Sachin Pilot was involved in a conspiracy to topple the Government, being such a senior leader of the party, CM Ashok Gehlot should not have talked like this about his colleague," said the party source.

Though Congress top leadership has reprimanded Rajasthan CM for using "inappropriate" language against Pilot and a message has been sent to him by party observers, saying that it does not suit him to say something like that.

"It looks like some kind of tussle is going on within Congress about the fate of Sachin Pilot. A section of the party led by CM Ashok Gehlot determined to send him out of the party. Whereas, Gandhi's are of the view that Sachin should be given enough of time to make up his mind," said veteran journalist, Rashid Kidwai while speaking to ETV Bharat.

In the context of Rajasthan political crisis, it's like Lucknow Culture of 'Pehle Aap-Pehle Aap' as the grand old party does not want to get a stigma of throwing a young and promising leader, like Sachin Pilot, out of the party.

Read:HC verdict will decide Pilot's fate in Rajasthan politics

On the face of it, Pilot looks like a Congress rebel who is bent on "toppling" the Rajasthan Government to realize his chief ministerial ambition in cahoots with BJP, the repeated allegations put up by CM Ashok Gehlot while showing his aggressive side to the media.

The "deliberate" attempts of Gehlot are in a view to "get rid of" his former deputy and potential successor, said a Congress functionary.

Kidwai further explained, "Congress wants to get a cover under a fig leaf that doesn't exist. Sachin Pilot has not even once professed loyalty to Congress. The party does not want to burn bridges with Sachin Pilot. Because of this inertia, Ashok Gehlot is getting restless and he is saying all these things which, normally, in a party should not have been tolerated and encouraged."

Keeping elections in mind

In January 2014, Pilot was appointed as the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee Chief. By then, the nation was witnessing a Modi Wave which wiped out Congress in Lok Sabha elections.

In Rajasthan, Congress won subsequent Assembly bypoll and panchayat poll. But, Congress chose Gehlot over Pilot as Chief Minister of Rajasthan because of his "experience" to deliver a good performance in 2019 Lok Sabha.

Party Sources, who are familiar with the development say that CM is preparing the ground for 2023 elections. If Pilot continues to remain a part of Congress till next elections, he would be an undisputed successor to Gehlot for the state.

Read:We'll be kingmakers, says BTP as Rajasthan crisis unfolds

Does that mean, turning him into a rebel, alleging his involvement in a conspiracy against the state Government, is a part of Gehlot's long term plan? Or is it a not-so-subtle message to the party high-command about their leadership choice?

Rashid Kidwai, explained, "Politically, Congress authority is being challenged either by Pilot or by Ashok Gehlot, who is also using all colourful language against that person. After completion of 6 years of being a PCC Chief, when did CM Gehlot felt that Pilot is nakara and nikkamma?"

Pilot's rebellion: A Sonshine moment for Gehlot?

When it comes to injecting some energetic leadership of young blood and fresh thinking, Congress always had Pilot in mind for Rajasthan. But if he gets out of the way, Gehlot can focus on re-building his son's political future.

After facing a debacle in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress had a Working Committee meeting in which party's former President Rahul Gandhi lashed out at some senior leaders for only focusing on to ensure the win of their children rather than of the party.

Vaibhav Gehlot, son of Ashok Gehlot, was contesting election from Jodhpur against BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and lost by a huge margin. This becomes a major setback for him in state politics even after his father's stronghold. "This is an in-built demerit in the party. The way in which party leaders are domineering while giving preference to their children, is causing a negative impact on the party and other workers have started feeling neglected," said a Congress leader.

This time the battle-lines are drawn harder than ever in Rajasthan and hence Congress needs to do internal dynamics. "It is high time Gandhi's should come in open, talk to both of them, strict deadlines should be given," asserted Rashid Kidwai.