Rajasthan; Mission 2019 prompts Congress to settle for old guard

After deliberations spanning over three days; Congress finally decided on Ashok Gehlot as chief minister and Sachin Pilot as deputy chief minister for Rajasthan. PCC chief Sachin Pilot and Gehlot were the main contenders, but Congress went with its tried and tested, experienced, old loyalist.

The choice is prompted by various reasons - The biggest consideration before Congress now is, how best to take on BJP in the 2019 general elections. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan - have 65 parliamentary seats and BJP had won 62 in 2014, that’s close to a fourth of its tally of 282. After winning all three states; selecting a chief minister needed careful consideration for Congress; as this choice could affect voting choices of people in Parliamentary polls. Congress keeping Mission 2019 on top priority, gave Gehlot an upper edge. There were other factors too, Gehlot; the two time CM has the requisite experience of running a government that has been an advantage in setting a narrative for the most vicious attacks on the Vasundhara government. He raised issues schemes launched during his time - like - free medicine scheme, old age pension, Barmer refinery to name a few - this was instrumental in cutting into Raje government’s claims regarding its schemes.

Over the last four years Congress has been in agitation mode - over issues of farmers, youth, employment and women security. It has created a situation where public expectations from the government are extremely high. In this scenario too Congress needs Gehlot who has cleverly dealt with issues of farmers’ agitation for water, Gurjar reservation and government employees strike with tact. Whereas the same issues had boiled over disastrously during Raje regime. What further tilted odds in Gehlot’s favour were the protests by Gurjar community, demanding Pilot be made CM; that continued despite appeals from Pilot to maintain calm.  

Acceptance was also a major parameter - Most legislators were in his favour and even the poll taken by Rahul on the Shakti app named Gehlot as the choice.

While both Pilot and Gehlot belong to OBC; Gehlot belongs to the Mali community that is not considered as a martial community. Further he has exhibited capability to take along different communities and also various factions within the Congress. His performance as AICC general secretary; especially during Gujarat and Karnataka polls added to his stature. Gehlot has a history of close to four decades of loyalty towards the Gandhi family and this was something that could not be discounted; especially by Sonia Gandhi.  

The recently concluded assembly elections have been projected as the semi finals before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Congress having won that had to put its best man forward and the choice rested on Ashok Gehlot.