Battle for PCC throne now begins in Rajasthan Congress

Victory at assembly elections has created new equations for organisational restructuring for Congress in Rajasthan. The appointment of party state president Sachin Pilot as deputy chief minister has created new contenders for his post in the organisation. The anticipation of parliamentary elections add urgency to the issue. “The party will need a full-time president before the parliamentary elections, meanwhile, Sachin Pilot as deputy CM holds a lot of responsibility in the government to ensure that we deliver what we promised,” says a senior Congress leader. 

It was after a devastating defeat in previous assembly elections that Rahul Gandhi had entrust Pilot to chair the state Congress committee. The party since has come a long way to form the government in the state, the parliamentary elections though stand to test the party.  Pilot has yet not indicated on his status as party president, yet a group of his supporters recommend against change of leadership. “You don’t exchange horses between battle, the party is in good momentum and we are set to sweep the coming elections,” says a Pilot supporter. 

However, the voices seeking organisational restructuring are more blatant and insist it necessary for social engineering.  A couple of ‘Jat’ community leaders are expected among the forerunners, including the former leader of opposition Rameshwar Dudi and MLA Baytu Harish Chaudhary. ‘Appointing a Jat might benefit on 16 parliamentary constituencies’ recommends a fraction. The party may also consider on names of Brahmin leaders BD Kalla and CP Joshi, both of the senior leaders have previously been the party state president. 

The post of party state president, especially of the ruling party holds much relevance in terms of political message. Those denied of a contending position in ministry allocation will look forward to the post in compensation. The party leadership, meanwhile, will also have to decide on balancing the caste equations and compensating for the communities discontented with representation in ministry allocation.

Those Days...

It was after a devastating defeat in previous assembly elections that Rahul Gandhi had entrust Pilot to chair the state Congress panel. The party since has come a long way to form the government in the state.