The Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh is all but done after the departure of Jyotiraditya Scindia and thereby ending one chapter of bitter political in-fighting that has ensued in the Congress ranks. The focus now shifts to Rajasthan where the political power tussle between Sachin Pilot (young-Turk) and Ashok Gehlot (old-dynast) is simmering hot. Parallels are being drawn between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where the script has been peculiarly same. Now a senior journalist with Times Now has tweeted inside info that “Talks in advance stage with Sachin Pilot. After Madhya Pradesh, there could be another implosion in @INCIndia.”
Inside info : Talks in advance stage with Sachin Pilot. After Madhya Pradesh, there could be another implosion in @INCIndia. Watch this space. #MadhyaPradesh #SachinPilot #Rajasthan
— Megha Prasad (@MeghaSPrasad) March 13, 2020
Pilot just like Scindia was undermined by the party high command when Gehlot was chosen over him as the state Chief Minister. The veiled attacks and war of words has continued ever since. Pilot had openly criticized Gehlot for his callous attitude and irresponsible approach towards the deaths of over 100 infants in Kota, Rajasthan. The Kota incident was a break-off point between the two leaders.
The deterioration in relations between the two Congress stalwarts can also be seen in the way government advertisements have propped around the state. The complete absence of Pilot’s mention in government advertisements, worth at least ₹25 crores, published in the Congress’s first year in office is a case study in hand.
According to a report by Indian Express, between December 2018 and November 2019, the Congress government in Rajasthan spent at least ₹25 crores on official advertisements, which only carried the photographs of Chief Minister Gehlot and not of Deputy Chief Minister Pilot. The Rajasthan government in its first year, between December 17, 2018, and November 11, 2019, spent almost ₹25.08 crore on 62 advertisements in national and regional dailies including Congress-leaning National Herald and Navjivan.
After Scindia’s departure from the state outfit, several Congress old Turks like Kamal Nath, Digvijay Singh, and Ashok Gehlot came up with blasphemous statements drubbing Scindia in rather poor light and accusing him of betrayal and worse. Interestingly it has not been even two days since Scindia joined the BJP flanks and Congress leaders have started speaking ill of their former party member.
Gehlot while denouncing the quitting of Scindia, called him an “opportunist” who has betrayed the trust of people for his “self-indulgent political ambitions” in a series of tweets. “The sooner opportunists leave, the better. Congress party gave so much, held various posts for 17-18 years, was made an MP, a Union Minister. Despite all this, what came out was just an opportunist, the public would never forgive,” Gehlot tweeted on Wednesday, the day Scindia was formally inducted into the BJP.
But Pilot’s approach to Scindia’s exit was not as critical and certainly not derogatory like that of Gehlot’s. In a measured and empathetic tone Pilot called Scindia’s resignation an “unfortunate” incident and that he wished the matter could have been resolved in a more collaborative way within the party.
Unfortunate to see @JM_Scindia parting ways with @INCIndia. I wish things could have been resolved collaboratively within the party.
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) March 11, 2020
According to media reports, Scindia had contacted few of Congress’s new line of leaders after quitting the party which included the likes of Sachin Pilot, former Union Ministers RPN Singh, Milind Deora, Jitin Prasada and Haryana MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi amongst others.
At the end of the day, leaders like Scindia, Pilot, Bishnoi, and Deora realize that Congress is all about one family and that making to the top in such a toxic environment is neither possible nor worth the efforts. With dwindling popularity and joke of leadership, it’s not BJP who is championing the cause of Congress Mukt Bharat, its Congress which itself is on a self-destruction spree.
While senior leadership remains aloof of conflicts between Pilot and Gehlot, the animosity between the two grows by the day. The central leadership of the Congress is vulnerable before Gehlot who enjoys the confidence of the Gandhi family. Pilot has been repeatedly given the cold shoulder on several occasions and it’s only a matter of time when he deserts the party.
The Scindia-gate might just act as a catalyst for Pilot who would be keeping a hawk-like eye on the proceedings. Unlike Congress’ old rearguards, its young leaders have responded with sympathy on the entire fiasco whilst bringing sharp criticism of their own party. If congress is to move forward, it needs to start respecting its young leaders.
