Congress's Sachin Pilot will begin the election year in Rajasthan with an elaborate mass contact programme, one that his political rival Ashok Gehlot will probably not be attending. While the Chief Minister remains busy with the crucial budget before the election, Mr Pilot has planned five key "Kisan sammelans" (farmers' gatherings) across the state, riding the high generated by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The rallies will be held in Nagaur, Hanumangardh, Jhunjhunu and Pali on 16, 17, 18 and 19 - tucked neatly between the Yatra and the beginning of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's women's rallies that begin on January 26. On January 20, he will hold a youth conference at Jaipur's Maharaja College.
Credited with a big role in the party's victory in Rajasthan in 2018 and in Himachal Pradesh last year through ground-level election work, Mr Pilot's move is seen as an attempt to hit the ground running - both in terms of the state and the party.
While the Congress has its job cut out to hit the stop button on the revolving-door election trend in Rajasthan, Mr Pilot's ambition appears no less a challenge as Ashok Gehlot remains in full control of the government and the party.
Sources close to Mr Pilot brushed off speculation that the move is a challenge to the leadership in the state. The 45-year-old is using the mass contact programme as a mandate to go back to the people, they said.
Mr Pilot firmly believes that Rajasthan is his "karam bhoomi" and wants to remain politically active in the state, especially since the Congress is already on a roll with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, they said.
The plan was apparently cleared with Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. "
An aspirant for the top post in Rajasthan, Mr Pilot was persuaded to accept the role of Mr Gehlot's deputy by Mr Gandhi, despite his contribution to the party's victory. But the situation led to friction and ended with Mr Pilot's rebellion that brought Mr Gehlot's government to the brink of collapse.
The Chief Minister has since emerged victor in their infrequent run-ins.
That Mr Gehlot has the bigger heft among the MLAs became clear during the elections for the Congress chief's post last year. More than 90 of his loyalist MLAs launched an open rebellion against the party's Central leadership after reports that once Mr Gehlot takes over the post of the Congress president, Mr Pilot may succeed him as the Chief Minister.
Mr Gehlot's grip on the party's state unit has apparently even granted him immunity from the promised disciplinary action by the party.
Mr Pilot has maintained his calm and played down their differences, saying it was "fine to have different opinions".
Following Mr Gehlot's "gaddar (traitor)" outburst, he said he would not be "provoked" and stuck to his official position that the leadership issue "is up to the party".
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