Rahul Gandhi on Friday blended two styles of leadership as different as black and white to present the “united colours of Rajasthan”.
That’s how the Congress president described the collective leadership in Rajasthan — Ashok Gehlot as chief minister and Sachin Pilot as deputy chief minister.
Rahul tweeted a photograph, showing the three of them, and a message: “The united colours of Rajasthan.”
It is an open secret that Gehlot and Pilot are not on good terms and were locked in cut-throat competition to grab the chief minister’s post in the state. While Gehlot will doubtless relish the third term as chief minister, Pilot will be disappointed with this compromise no matter how much colour Rahul pours into the two divergent shades of black and white.
But the crisis was resolved amicably even as speculation was rife about Gehlot leading the government for a specific period, for the specific task of managing the parliamentary election next May. Many in the party saw Pilot as the chief-minister-in-waiting.
That the succession has been decided should come as a consolation to Pilot, who had worked hard to rebuild the party after a pitiable rout.
The decision on Chhattisgarh may come on Saturday. Sources said it was more about the party leadership’s choice of timing in Chhattisgarh than any tug-of-war among the contenders.
The Congress is relishing the media focus on its politics in the wake of election victories and may be trying to stretch it a little further. For several years now, most TV channels used to focus on little other than ridicule being poured on the party by the BJP. The Congress also feels that pure politics will energise its ranks ahead of the general election.
Gehlot said after the announcement of his name: “I thank the MLAs and Rahul Gandhi for giving me another opportunity to serve the people of Rajasthan.
“Many vital development projects are stranded in the state. Rahulji has asked us to deliver on the promise of good governance and we will together implement the party manifesto in full.”
Pilot contended that the mandate of the people in the three Hindi heartland states would change the nature of national politics. Presenting himself as a leader with a larger vision than a deputy chief minister of a state is expected to have, he said: “A large section of the Indian people had a sense of relief. Those who didn’t see a ray of hope under the Modi dispensation today feel psychologically assured. We will deliver pro-people governance.”
Gehlot’s shift to Rajasthan will create a key vacancy in the high command structure as he was playing a pivotal role as general secretary in charge of the Congress organisation. He grew close to Rahul during the Gujarat elections and was then given this important assignment. Rahul will now have to replace him with another senior leader.
