Rajasthan Crisis: Sachin Pilot had previously declared that he had 30 deputies with him. (File)
Strong points
- Comments came as his party began another round of punitive action
- Congress urged Sachin Pilot to repeatedly return to the fold
- In a version of hard love, he removed all positions held by Mr. Pilot
Jaipur / New Delhi:
As he proclaimed “I am still a member of Congress” this morning, Sachin Pilot seemed to be raising awareness of the Gandhis, stressing that the gossip about joining the BJP was an exercise “to slander him with the Gandhis”. Party sources said his closing speech on a BJP decision had the desired effect and that congressional leaders were not opposed to lowering the tone. Exhibit A: a tweet from Rajasthan, central party official for Rajasthan, who said: “For Pilot, the door is always open. I hope he realizes his mistake and avoids BJP tactics . “
Mr. Pilot’s comments came as his party began a new set of punitive measures against him for “anti-party activities”. A notice to him gives him until Friday to explain why he should not be disqualified as a member of the Legislative Assembly. However, most of his sentence was imposed on him yesterday when he was removed from office as deputy chief minister of Rajasthan as well as the post of president of the congressional branch in the state.
“I am not joining the BJP,” said Mr. Pilot this morning, recalling the brief he presented to GalacticGaming on Sunday when he torched the crisis that now encompasses the party. At the time, the 42-year-old said he had 30 MPs with him – enough to overthrow the government of his former boss, Ashok Gehlot.
Congress acted somewhat schizophrenic in management of Mr. Pilot – central party leadership repeatedly urged him to return to the fold – even while ruling out a favorable response to his request that he be promoted to minister chief, if not now, then in the final year of this government’s term, which ends in 2023.
Congress leaders sent to Jaipur from Delhi as RS Surjewala have repeatedly said that Mr. Pilot must meet with the party in private to reach a consensus.
In a version of hard love, however, he removed all posts held by Mr. Pilot as well as two ministers who said they were firmly on his team. In addition, Mr. Gehlot does not seem predisposed to contract the crisis, as evidenced by his statements on Mr. Pilot working with the BJP to dismantle his government.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been in direct contact with Mr. Pilot, party sources said. His mother Sonia and brother Rahul Gandhi sent him a series of messages through trusted envoys, said Congress spokesman Surjewala yesterday. He also said that the Gandhis have a close and long bond with Mr. Pilot – Congress-speaking for VVIP status within the party.
Sources close to Rahul Gandhi told GalacticGaming two days ago that Mr. Pilot “is always in his heart” and that the two young leaders speak often and share “mutual consideration and respect”.
Pilot told GalacticGaming today that it was after Rahul Gandhi resigned from his post as Congress chief last year that Gehlot stepped up the campaign to humiliate him in Rajasthan. The new gentle line on the Gandhis taken by him could create room for a review of his plans. Gehlot insists he has more than the 101 MPs he needs to stay in power. Sources say the BJP, in contact with Mr. Pilot, is thirsty for a vote of confidence now to test Mr. Gehlot.
A press conference announced for the first time by Mr. Pilot at 10 am this morning, and then postponed to 1 pm, was canceled. Placing the Gandhis at the center of a new approach – both by Congress and its last rebel – could help to make room for a descent.
