Pilot's rejig plan stirs R'than Cong

The recent declaration by Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot to rejig the organisation has intensified political maneuvering by senior Congress leaders, who were pushed into obscurity after losing the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

For these former legislators, ministers and MPs, holding a post in the party is the last option to stay relevant in Rajasthan politics.

On the contrary, the fringe of activities in the camp of seniors has become a major cause of concern for young leaders, who are struggling to make their presence felt in state politics.

“Senior leaders lost the elections. Now they wants to make a come back in the organisation. Where will young leaders go, especially those working hard for the past five years?” a young Congress leader who heads one of the cells of the Rajasthan Congress unit said.

“These former legislators, ministers and MPs never took interest in party matters. Now that they have lost everything, they want a post just to keep floating in state politics,” the young leader said.

“In order to revive the party, the faces rejected by people in the elections should not be given any post,” he added.

Young leaders say senior members have already started lobbying for posts in the state Congress unit, and many MPs are even looking at All India Congress Committee.

According to sources, a couple of leaders are camping in New Delhi, seeking the help of their ‘godfathers’.

Several leaders who are reportedly interested in organisational posts include former legislator Sayam Lodha, Pratap Singh Khachariawas, Raghu Sharma, former ministers Rajendra Pareek, Bhawar Lal Meghwal, Mahindra Malviya and former MPs Mahesh Joshi and Lal Chand Kataria.

Sources close to Pilot say he is looking for a young team that can work for the next 20-30 years in Rajasthan.

But after the back-to-back defeat, it would be difficult for the party to ignore seniors and experienced leaders.

This is why Pilot has already cleared that if the party has to be revived, Congressmen with 20-30 years of service will be considered along with young ones.

It will also be Pilot’s first reshuffle in the organisation after being made its chief in January this year.

The reshuffling is important as it will give a new direction to the party after its worst defeat ever.

But the biggest challenge for him is to motivate party workers and bring them to the mainstream.

Reshuffling in the district Congress and block Congress committees will be the first step in this direction.