Asha Patel, a senior political observer based in Jaipur, discloses how a temporary truce was reached between CM Gehlot and Sachin Pilot
The volatile equation between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot saw a temporary truce while Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra was passing through the state. It should be noted that this Yatra’s tenure was going to be the longest in Rajasthan. All the MLAs, leaders, and cadres of the Congress party were strictly advised not to create any kind of ruckus during the Yatra.
As for the Pilot and Gehlot tussle is concerned, it was a rare sight to see both of them flying in the same helicopter from Bundi to Jaipur airport and then proceeding to Delhi in a chartered plane. From there they went to Shimla to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister. As Jairam Ramesh said, it was not a photo-op but a show of actual unity. How did this happen?
Gehlot had called Pilot a ‘traitor’ in an interview with a news channel. It was before the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Rajasthan. Gehlot’s remarks were disapproved by the Gurjar community to which Pilot belongs. The community threatened to disrupt the yatra in the state unless their demands are met. One of their demands was to make Sachin Pilot the Chief Minister. Gehlot had remarked that Pilot can never become the Chief Minister and called him a ‘gaddar’.
The pilot is an immature leader as compared to Gehlot. What Gehlot has done in the last five years for the people of Rajasthan is marvelous. Many policies and programs started by the state government have had a positive effect on the grassroots. Gehlot is a seasoned politician who knows how to handle adversaries. Look at the recent episode at the start of the Bharat Jodo Yatra where he displayed his authority. The central leadership of Congress to knows the importance of Gehlot being at the helm of affairs.
On the other hand, Sachin Pilot knows very well that there is no use in becoming a Chief Minister for just one year. It is a political tradition in Rajasthan that no party repeats itself in the government. The pilot also knows that the next government will be led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. That is why he has been consoled and advised to remain calm. He will be fielded from Uttar Pradesh in 2024. Actually, he comes from Bulandshahar so it would be a natural choice for him.
So when Gehlot’s remark drew criticism from the Gurjar community, the party had to go for immediate troubleshooting in Rajasthan. Congress stood by its stand that both Gehlot and Pilot are assets for the party. Anyhow, the Gurjar community was assuaged. That is why both Pilot and Gehlot were present when Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Rajasthan setting aside their political differences.
The episode is now over with Gehlot’s second interview in which he clarified his stand referring to the ‘gaddar’ comment. He said, “Such incidents and accidents often happen in politics. Time fixes everything.’
So, Gehlot and Pilot’s episode has been very well fixed by the central leadership. Both have walked together with Rahul Gandhi in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. There is no point in discussing it after that joint appearance.
(The narrator is an independent editor-owner of Vanijya Setu and Garibon Ka Setu weekly)
As told to Abhishek Srivastava
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