After reports of Rajasthan Congress state president Sachin Pilot's absence at the crucial Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meet in Jaipur, speculations are rife about Pilot floating a new political outfit. Reportedly, only over 90 MLAs (out of a total of 107) attended the meeting; this, even after the Congress issued a whip directing all legislators to appear or face penalty. Pilot, who is openly rebelling against the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan, had also made it abundantly clear that he was not going to join the BJP.
According to multiple media reports, Pilot and his loyalists will float a new outfit will be called the Pragatisheel Congress, with an announcement expected soon. Some media reports even hypothesised that he could become chief minister with outside BJP support.
The Congress party had, before the CLP meet, adopted a conciliatory stance towards Pilot and his faction. In a press conference, spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, according to ANI: "Over the last 48 hours, Congress leadership has spoken to Sachin Pilot a number of times about the present political situation. I appeal to all Congress MLAs that people have voted for Congress to lead a stable govt in the state; all MLAs should take part in the Congress Legislative Party meeting today and make our govt in the state stronger."
"If anyone, be at any post or profile, has any problem, they must come forward and mention the issue on the party forum. We will work to resolve it together and keep our govt intact in the state. If anyone is upset in family, they should find a solution by sitting with members of the family. On behalf of Congress leadership, including Sonia and Rahul, I convey that doors of Congress party are always open for Sachin [Pilot] or any member," he said.
Even as Surjewala trode the path of reconciliation, many in the Congress have publicly hardened their stance against Pilot, already accusing him of going the Scindia way. AICC general secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh P.L. Punia said, reported news agency ANI: "Sachin Pilot is now in the BJP. Everyone knows BJP's attitude towards the Congress party. We don't need a certificate from BJP. In Congress, all leaders and workers are respected."
What led to this situation?
Simply put, turf war inside the Congress. According to sources, Pilot was upset by the notice sent to him by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police, which sought to record his statement in connection with allegations that the BJP had indulged in horse-trading ahead of the recent Rajya Sabha elections, attempting to influence MLAs supporting the Gehlot government in a bid to topple it. The SOG had lodged an FIR based on intercepted conversations between two persons said to be affiliated to the saffron party.
Gehlot, however, tweeted to clear the air about the SOG summons, saying notices had also been sent to him and to other ministers, in order to record their statement.
Pilot was not available for comments, but sources say that the SOG notice came as the last straw in a long series of attempts by Gehlot to allegedly sideline him in the state of affairs in Rajasthan.
It is well known that Pilot was upset over being passed over for the chief minister's post after the party won the assembly elections in Rajasthan under his leadership in 2018. The Congress leadership preferred to hand over the reins to the experienced Gehlot, while Pilot had to settle for the post of deputy chief minister.
However, the friction between the two leaders has been palpable, and the Pilot camp intensified its attacks on Gehlot following the party's whitewash in the Lok Sabha elections. Even with regard to the anti-COVID-19 measures taken by the Rajasthan government, Gehlot and Pilot appeared to be carrying out parallel efforts.
According to those in the Pilot camp, the deputy chief minister is aggrieved over being sidelined in the decision-making and with Gehlot not being amenable to share the limelight with his deputy.
-Inputs from Soni Mishra