Rajasthan crisis ebbs

 Almost a month after the Congress party government in Rajasthan nearly went the Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh way, somehow the arithmetic didn’t work for BJP to launch its ‘Operation ‘Kamala(Lotus)’. The Rajasthan Congress government was tottering with chief minister Ashok Gehlot fighting to keep his flocks after deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot rebelled. Gehlot, the old political warhorse went all out against his former deputy who had the tacit support of BJP. Gehlot had to face hurdles from the state Governor on one hand and court intervention against disqualifying the rebel MLAs on the other. In the end and after much heat in the media and in the court, Pilot finally decided to call a truce through the good offices of the Gandhis. The factors that led to Rajasthan crisis was the same that had led to downfall of Congress governments in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. In Karnataka, former Congress chief minister Siddaramaiah openly criticised the party’s coalition chief minister H.D.Kumaraswamy to such, that the latter openly wept in front of media that he wasn’t being allowed to function. Ego clashes within Congress members vying for ministerial berths was another cause. In Madhya Pradesh, the open rivalry between old Congress warhorse and chief minister Kamal Nath and emerging young leader Jyotiraditya Scindia effected ‘Operation Kamala’. The Congress government had 114 MLAs but after 22 Scindia loyalists resigned its numbers went down to 92 giving the BJP with 107, a majority. During the face off in Rajasthan between Gehlot and Pilot, there was much badmouthing going on, especially from Gehlot. The flashpoint came when Pilot received a notice from the special operations group (SOG) of the state police to record his statement regarding the alleged attempts to topple the Congress government in the state. Pilot was rightly incensed and after more than one and half year of being sidelined and often humiliated by Gehlot, he had no other way but to go towards the exit door. Unfortunately, when things were brewing, none of the Gandhis did anything to ensure that the old warhorse did no further damage. Now that Pilot has agreed to return back on the strength of assurances from Priyanka and Rahul, back in Rajasthan Gehlot won’t be too pleased with the homecoming. He has been bad-mouthing Pilot without naming him earlier during the height of the crisis, when he said: “being fluent in English or having a handsome personality doesn’t mean everything. What matters is one’s conviction, dedication and commitment to ideals and country.” On his part, Pilot has never responded in kind by attacking Gehlot. Ashok Gehlot is not naïve or timid; he is a veteran in the art of survival in facing his adversities. He has the Gandhi siblings under his spell and like a skilled conductor, has managed to have them on his side at decisive moments. This had unfortunately made Gehlot arrogant, uncompromising and arbitrary in his dealings. It is unlikely the Rajasthan crisis will end so soon given the fact that Gehlot has already fired his salvoes and would not think twice to cut to size an emerging and popular young leader. And that is a constant problem for the Congress in Rajasthan and next, perhaps Chhattisgarh.