Congress leaders in dilemma over CM, deputy CM model in Rajasthan

The Congress party’s decision to settle the issue regarding leadership of its elected members and the government in Rajasthan, by appointing a chief minister and a deputy CM has come to the dilemma of party workers. Many of these expecting a return for their ‘hard work’ while in opposition and during the recently-concluded assembly elections in state are now apprehensive of being labelled to be belonging to a group. 

“The two-channel eco-system is not healthy under present circumstances. Earlier, the ticket aspirants found themselves caught between the situation and now they fear being branded close to any group,” says a senior Congress leader. 

The situation is especially critical for those looking for political postings under the rule of their government. Several political appointments are made by the regime of the day to reqard the deserving candidates who due to ill-luck or otherwise could not be a part of the government through the legislature. While, some of these leaders have already declared their allegiance towards the Pilot or the Gehlot factions. 

But there remains a large section of the leaders who have stayed away from the tug-of-war and wish to avoid the duality at all levels of governance in state. 

Congress national president during one of his election rallies at Rajasthan has mentioned of a photograph of Gehlot and Pilot sharing a motorcycle ride to reflect of coordination between the two leaders. Sachin riding the bike was depicted as young driving force, while Gehlot on the pillion reflected of the experience. 

However, despite winning the elections, the party apparently lost the cohesiveness. “The cat is out of the bag and there is no way to deny the conflict now. We had been able to curtain the differences between the two leaders before elections but the delay in declaring CM candidate revealed it in public,” says another Congress office bearer in state. 

As the party leaders make a united call to the workers to continue with the enthusiasm and help party secure victory in upcoming parliamentary elections, many of the party workers apprehend a further exaggeration of the differences and fear it may mar the party’s possibilities. Those aspiring to be party’s candidate for parliamentary elections will have the task to maintain good terms with either of the leaders. Those seeking other positions in party and governance apprehend a delay in the process due to the two leaders not being on the same page.

The Dilemma 

There remains a large section of the leaders who have stayed away from the tug-of-war and wish to avoid the duality at all levels of governance in state. Those aspiring to be a candidate for parliamentary elections will have the task to maintain good terms with either of the leaders. Those seeking other positions in party apprehend a delay in the process due to the two leaders not being on the same page.