It’s now abundantly clear as to how things will shape up in Rajasthan within the Congress where a vacancy for the chief minister’s post has abruptly arisen. Once Ashok Gehlot shifts base to Delhi with the proposed filing of his nomination for the post of Congress president he can no more hope to directly control the party affairs from ground level in the state. His dilemma, however, is understandable. It would be suicidal to him locally to let his arch rival Sachin Pilot assume the post of chief minister. This, however, is believed to be a fait accompli as Gehlot cannot afford to stand against the will of the “first family” – which is seen loaded in favour of Sachin Pilot. Pilot had been angling for the CM’s post ever since the last assembly polls and was restive under the rule of Gehlot all along. The high command had effected a truce every time Pilot sought to push his case for the CM’s post. Gehlot always had the last laugh. But perceptions now are that it will be incumbent on Gehlot to altogether move out of Rajasthan, base himself in Delhi and concentrate fully on re-building the party in the Hindi belt and beyond.
Notably, the other main contender for the post of party chief, Shashi Tharoor, has already defeated himself with the expression of an apprehension that he might not have his way. At the most inopportune moment, he quoted Theodore Roosevelt to stress that his critics do not matter and, win or lose, a fight is worth it. This, after Tharoor’s weak spot was effectively exposed by a party leader by asking as to what he did for the Congress other than writing letters to Sonia Gandhi (and tensing her up) “when she was in hospital.” It was sarcasm at its height. Once the family — still a tower of strength to Congressmen — made it clear at the outset that its backing was for Gehlot as the next party chief, the decks were somewhat cleared. The other possible candidates whose names came up like Manish Tiwari, Digvijay Singh or Kamal Nath do not command a wide appeal. Nor does Gehlot at this point of time for that matter. What adds weight to his candidature is his link to the will of the first family. But it is clear Gehlot has the fire in him if only for the way he reigned supreme in Rajasthan, outwitting the machinations of all those set against him there. There, thus, are shades of Modi in him.