Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot disappointed speculators on Sunday as he led a grand event commemorating the death anniversary of his father, Rajesh Pilot, in his hometown of Dausa. Rather than launching a new political outfit or escalating his feud with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the 45-year-old took the opportunity to emphasize his commitment as a crusader against corruption and a champion for the disadvantaged, even if it meant confronting his own party’s government.
“I have spoken up for a better future for the youth. People here have always supported me. My voice is strong, and I will not back down. The nation needs politics based on truth. I refuse to let people gamble with the future of our youth. My policy is clear—I want clean politics,” Sachin Pilot stated.
The memorial service, a customary annual gathering, included prayers at the statue of the late Rajesh Pilot and the unveiling of a new statue at a Gujjar hostel. The event sparked anticipation as it could potentially herald a new chapter in Rajasthan’s political landscape.
Prior to the event, speculation swirled that Pilot might establish a new party with the Rajasthan elections merely six months away. However, his supporters denied these claims, while Pilot himself maintained a tantalizing silence, leaving everyone pondering over his next move.
Seeking to dispel rumors of a new party formation, the Congress party affirmed its commitment to contest the elections unitedly. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate assured, “Our party president and we are confident that a positive solution will be reached.”
Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal also dismissed the speculations of Pilot launching his own party, asserting that the Congress would contest Rajasthan’s assembly polls cohesively. He stated, “I don’t believe in rumors. The reality is that the Congress president and Rahul Gandhi held discussions with Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, and as a result, we have decided to move forward together”. That is the position of the Congress party, according to news agency PTI.
Both Pilot and Gehlot took to Twitter to pay tribute to Rajesh Pilot, refraining from directly addressing the existing tensions between them.
In an attempt to defuse the tensions between the top leaders of Rajasthan in this crucial election year, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi engaged in extensive discussions with Gehlot and Pilot last week. Following the meetings, the party announced that Gehlot and Pilot had agreed to contest the upcoming assembly elections jointly and entrusted the resolution of all outstanding issues to the party leadership.
A power struggle has ensued between Gehlot and Pilot since the Congress came to power in the state in 2018. In 2020, Pilot led a revolt against the Gehlot government, leading to his removal from the positions of the party’s state unit president and Deputy Chief Minister. An earlier attempt by the Congress leadership to effect a leadership change in Rajasthan failed when Gehlot’s loyalists stood their ground and prevented a legislature party meeting from taking place.
Sources close to Pilot assert that his primary objective is to address the issues he has raised, particularly his demand for the Ashok Gehlot government to take action against alleged corruption during the previous BJP regime.
Sachin Pilot has taken a “principled position,” with corruption and paper leaks being his top priorities. In addition to tackling corruption, his demands include the reconstitution of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), fresh appointments to the commission, and compensation for individuals affected by the cancellation of government recruitment exams due to paper leaks.
By staying true to his principles and prioritizing the fight against corruption and the welfare of the disadvantaged, Sachin Pilot has demonstrated his commitment to clean politics and a better future for the youth. As Rajasthan gears up for the upcoming assembly elections, the Congress party faces the challenge of maintaining unity and resolving internal conflicts to present a strong and united front to the voters.