Rajasthan Politics Archives - Lokmarg

Gehlot Is A Seasoned Leader, Pilot Is Ambitious But Immature

By LokMarg 24th December 2022

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

PM Modi Must Intervene To Stop Distortion of Rajput History

By LokMarg 25th November 2022

Krishna Solanki, mother of the heir of the Royal Panarwa estate Bhanwar Parikshit Solanki, says there is a conscious attempt to distort Rajput history for political gains

I shall like to set in order the legacy of my great ancestors, particularly Rana Punja ji Solanki who was one of the fiercest commanders of Maharana Pratap and led a band of Bhil archers against the Mughal army in 16^th century. He remains a revered figure among Rajput clans of Rajasthan and among the natives of mountainous region Bhomat. However, it is a matter of pain and anguish for me to see the history of my ancestors being misrepresented by politicians for petty gains.

In several events related to Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, several infographics circulated by state media department Raja Punja ji have been depicted as a Bhil warrior. BJP MP from Rajsamand, Diya Kumari and BJP’s Kumbhalgarh legislator Surendra Singh Rathore too unveiled Rana ji’s statue as a Bhil warrior. I shall like to set the records straight that Rana Punja ji was a Rajput who led Bhil and Garasiya warriors. Bhils and Garasiyas were Rana ji’s blood brothers and most loyal companions. Elected representatives have a moral responsibility to preserve our glorious history and not distort it.

My son, a direct descendant of Rana Punja ji, in March 2022, wrote to the PM and sought his intervention as the efforts are being continuously made by local and national level politicians to distort historical facts and term Rana Punja as Bhil for political gains.

***Heir of Panarwa’s Solanki dynasty Parikshit Singh Solanki (centre)***

To know the real Rana Punja, one must study valid records and journals from state archives. The last Solanki ruler of Patan was Maharaja Tribhuvanpal. One of his sons Ranakdevji migrated to the present Sirohi district in the 13th century. His descendant Bhoj Solanki was progenitor of Bhojawat branch of Solanki Rajputs. Bhoj’s great grandson Akheyraj Solanki conquered Bhomat from a Yadu Rajput, Jeevraj and established his capital at Panarwa in 1478. The Solanki Rajputs of Desuri (Pali), Jhilwara and Roopnagar (Udaipur) are brothers to Solankis of Panarwa-Oghna.

Bhomat is a mountainous and forested area in southern Rajasthan, covering all or parts of the tehsils of Kotra, Jhadol and Kherwara in Udaipur district. During British rule, the region was also referred to as ‘Hilly Tracts of Mewar’ and was factually in majority of a tribal (Adivasi, Garasiya, Bhil, etc.) population dominated region. My ancestors considered Bhil tribesmen as their comrades, whose aid was indispensable in ruling Bhomat.

The Bhils have great respect and adulation for Rana Punja ji and I suspect the politicians are trying to play upon this sentiment. But this is a falsification of history. We are aghast by such attempts. Verified government handles on social media are also making similar false claims. We strongly urge the top leadership in New Delhi to stop such malicious propaganda.