Rajasthan Cong set for recast

Major organisational changes are expected in the state Congress immediately after the Lok Sabha polls. PCC chief Sachin Pilot, speaking for the first time after the elections in Rajasthan, admitted  that a major reshuffle would take place in the state Congress keeping pace with the “present realities.”

“We need to change the face and working of the party in Rajasthan. Ever since I took charge as state president, I have not made any appointments. We need to take the party to the grassroots level and fight for the rights of the common man,” said Pilot. Changes will be made at the state and district levels as per needs after the results of the Lok Sabha elections come in, he added.

In 2008 when Ashok Gehlot took over as chief minister and C P Joshi left as PCC chief, many new faces were introduced and were given important responsibilities in the party. Since then senior and experienced party workers and leaders have felt ignored within the party. Many of them had alleged that experienced party workers were deliberately ignored so that Gehlot could maintain his influence both in the government and in the organisation.

Taking into account the longstanding resentment and pain felt by senior party workers, Sachin said, “Appointments will be done in a balanced manner. Senior leaders who are working in the executive for last 25-30 years will be given a chance in the interest of the party. The new organisational set up will also comprise young leaders, women and professionals,” he said. Former PCC chiefs including Chandrabhan, Gehlot and Joshi will also be duly consulted, he added.

Sources in the party said panchayat and civic body elections are due in the second half of the year. Pilot wants to prove his mettle on the local turf. “Sachin Pilot is the second youngest PCC chief after former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. If Pilot succeeds in reviving the Congress in Rajasthan, he will be among the front runners for the post of chief minister,” said a senior Congress leader. After Gehlot and Joshi, Pilot is the new face party is relying on, he added.

However, many senior leaders are of the view that had organisational changes taken place six months before the Assembly elections, the Congress would have performed better.