For once, Congress sees its members openly criticizing the strategy (File)
New Delhi:
Sachin Pilot is now lost in Congress, the party known for its unwavering commitment to its first family, the Gandhis, is, atypically, bristling with their leadership, a style of operation that has three months away from two bright young stars – d first Jyotiraditya Scindia and now the politician who is credited with resuscitating the party in Rajasthan after being gutted in the state elections in 2013.
For once, Congress sees its members openly criticizing the strategy – if there is one – in managing its talent. On Sunday, former union minister Kapil Sibal tweeted: “Worried about our party. Will we wake up only after the horses have left our stable”. Since then, a host of leaders of different ages have expressed frustration with what they describe as the inexplicably inaccessible Gandhis.
Worried about our party
Will we not wake up until the horses have left our stables?
– Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) July 12, 2020
Unlike Mr. Scindia, Mr. Pilot would have been called by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; Congress spokesperson RS Surjewla also said this morning that party leader Sonia Gandhi had also contacted Mr. Pilot, asking him to reconsider the measures that placed him in a formidable confrontation with the party.
Mr. Surjewala at his press conference in Jaipur also stressed today the “close connection” that the Gandhis have with Mr. Pilot – the political gold in Congress. But the press conference also saw the announcement of the dismissal of Mr. Pilot as chief deputy minister of his country of origin and president of the Congress in Rajasthan. Mr. Pilot’s response was limited to a somewhat Zen tweet that philosophizes, “The truth can be harassed but not defeated”.
There are not many in Congress who feel that Mr. Pilot’s main request could be justified – a promotion to the post of Prime Minister. But there is the separate complaint that Mr. Pilot could have been appeased earlier – by offering him a clear demarcation of the powers enjoyed by Mr. Gehlot, by meetings in person with the Gandhis and by assurances that Mr. Gehlot would be condemned to curtail a growing campaign to diminish Mr. Pilot’s stature. When Mr. Pilot went to Delhi about 10 days ago to warn that he was at the breaking point, he got time with senior leaders like Ahmed Patel – but no time with the Gandhis.
“The leadership has refused to speak or meet with me for the past five years despite their strong advocacy and their work for the party. Imagine the plight of the congressional worker and other party leaders,” said a senior official. Congress official.
There is also a section of the party that believes Rahul Gandhi should either return as President of Congress and take responsibility for his decisions – or give up the ultimate authority that he continues to exercise over critical issues through his mother. , who replaced him as leader of Congress when he left office after the party’s general election debacle last year. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, thirsty for direct attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are convinced that this strategy distinguishes them from other opposition leaders and are not ready to rethink their approach. Their loyalists reject anyone who disagrees as being “in contact with the BJP”.
Scindia left Congress in March after seasoned congressmen in his state, Madhya Pradesh, worked to relegate him to a secondary performance. The Gandhis did not intervene at that time. On Sunday, when Mr. Pilot made it clear that he would no longer tolerate Mr. Gehlot’s tactics to do the same, Mr. Scindia punched him on Twitter, posting: “Sad to see my former colleague Sachin Pilot also, sidelined and persecuted by the chief minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot. Shows that talent and capacity find little credit in Congress. “
Sad to see my former colleague, @SachinPilot also, being sidelined and persecuted by Rajasthan CM, @ ashokgehlot51 . Shows that talent and ability find little credibility @INCIndia .
– Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 12, 2020
Other party leaders also regretted his treatment.
The dispute with Mr. Pilot ignited when he received a notice from the state police for questioning in an investigation into whether the BJP was making big offers of money to congressional lawmakers to change sides. He provided the last kilometer of Mr. Pilot’s trip to the Out door. Mr. Scindia overthrew the government of Madhya Pradesh when he withdrew from Congress. The party challenges the prospect of Mr. Pilot providing a sequel to Rajasthan. It testifies to the growing chasm that Gandhi’s strategy has become. As Congress tries to calculate its losses, all forced errors, the family at its center has a lot to explain. At the summit of Congress, however, this will likely introspect at most.
