"Why Bring Rahul Gandhi's Yatra Into It?" Team Pilot On Leader's Warning

Sachin Pilot accused the BJP of trying to create "disturbances" for the party's 3570-km foot march. "No matter how hard the BJP tries, the yatra will be successful," "he told reporters when asked about loyalist Vijay Singh Bainsla's threat.

"People from all communities want the yatra to come to the state. From here, it will be a new beginning for the Congress…for elections and for the people of the state," he added.

Vijay Singh Bainsla, a leader of Gurjar Arakshan Sangharh Samiti, has threatened to oppose Rahul Gandhi's yatra in Rajasthan unless his demands, including making Mr Pilot, a prominent face from the community, the chief minister, are accepted.

In a video statement, he said, "The current Congress government has completed four years and one year is left. Now Sachin Pilot should be made Chief Minister.. We are not holding anyone to ransom but how long are we going to wait?. If this happens, then you (Rahul Gandhi) are welcome. We will oppose otherwise".

In an exclusive interview to NDTV, he said the state needed a Chief Mnister from the community as the Congress government had reneged on a 2019 agreement which included a quota promise.  You are putting our backs to the door. We are saying get it done now - get up and smell the coffee...do it," Mr Bainsla said.

Mr Bainsla's comments are a further indication of an escalation in the tussle between Mr Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.  The political rivalry has been spiralling as the state elections draw close.

It made headlines during the election for the Congress chief post as Gehlot loyalists' open rebellion in an attempt to block Mr Pilot's possible appointment left the Gandhis red faced.

Mr Pilot, aspiring for the Chief Minister post since the 2018 assembly election, recently issued a warning that the Congress should "end the atmosphere of indecision". His remarks came in the backdrop of the party's delay in taking action despite the rebellion by Gehlot loyalists.

"Observers took the situation in Rajasthan seriously. The party has said it was indiscipline... There should now be action," Mr Pilot told reporters. "The Congress is an old party with the same rules for everyone, no matter how senior. I'm sure the new president, Mallikarjun Kharge, will decide soon," he had added.

Assembly elections in Rajasthan – which has routinely swung between the BJP and the Congress in alternate polls  for decades – are due next year. While the Congress is hoping for a second straight term, there is concern among a section of the leadership that the aggressive infighting can only worsen the party's chances.