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Ajmer bypoll: Pilot may lose cockpit if BJP wins Ajmer

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje realises this fact. She is making things even more difficult for Pilot. Since last week, she has been busy showering largesse on Ajmer.

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Ajmer byelection is crucial for BJP.  But it’s critical for Congress state chief Sachin Pilot. Whether Pilot contests or not, the result will have telling effect on his immediate political future in Rajasthan. Ajmer is Pilot’s own constituency.

While a win (whosoever contests) will boost his chief ministerial candidacy, a defeat would cast a dark shadow on his leadership.

“This is Catch-22 situation. Pilot should volunteer for the contest. Unlike other by-polls, this election result will not be a mandate for ruling party. This will indicate acceptability of Pilot as a leader in the state. A win then is critical for Pilot, who is the best bet for Congress in Ajmer,” said a senior Congress leader.

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje realises this fact. She is making things even more difficult for Pilot. Since last week, she has been busy showering largesse on Ajmer. Big bang development projects including ceramic hub in Ajmer, an airport in Kishangarh, Rs 400 crore facelift for Pushkar and 24x7 water supply in Ajmer look fancy to woo voters. Her ‘personal touch’ while reaching out to every community in Ajmer, is further brightening the chances of BJP.

“Pilot has more on stake than Raje. If BJP loses, the party still has eight months to regroup, consolidate and prepare for the assembly elections, scheduled next year. But for Congress, it will be a personal loss to Pilot. If it loses, party will have to definitely look for change in state leadership,” said a political observer.

In April when by-election was held on Dholpur assembly seat, Pilot gave it all to defeat the BJP in Dholpur, Maharani Vasundhara Raje’s backyard. But all his might was not good enough to humble Raje. BJP triumphed exposing the factionism in Congress. Pilot then blamed it on misuse of government machinery and miscoordination between senior leaders (read Ashok Gehlot).  

“Now it’s Raje’s turn to return the favour. Ajmer is Pilot’s home borough. And a defeat here would break his morale. Raje is putting everything to ensure a win in Ajmer, which will further weaken demoralised Congress in the run up to the next assembly elections,” the observer said.

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