Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM Sachin Pilot at a press conference on Friday.
THE CRISIS that threatens the Congressional government in Rajasthan, just four months after the party let Madhya Pradesh escape, has once again underlined the party’s leadership vacuum and how its drift is deepening internal flaws: old versus youth, second-generation leaders versus those who rose in rank.
On Sunday, the party’s top leaders seemed divided over what led to the latest clash between Prime Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy pilot Sachin but we’re united in asking the high command to “wake up” and “save the government,” a fact. recurrent. It has been a topic since Rahul Gandhi moved away from first place last year, leaving Sonia Gandhi on provisional charges.
Restlessness inside can be measured from an unusual tweet by the loyal supporter, lead leader, and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal. “Concerned about our party. Will we wake up only after the horses have escaped from our stables? he wrote.
Thiruvananthapuram deputy Shashi Tharoor was more circumspect. “I passionately believe that our country needs a truly liberal party led by centrist professionals committed to inclusive policies and respectful of India’s pluralism. All those who believe in the founding values of the Republic must work to strengthen @INCIndia and not undermine it, “he tweeted.
Without referring to the crisis, Karthi P Chidambaram, a deputy from Sivaganga and son of former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram, tweeted: “Why is @Google a successful company? Because it allows talent to become an entrepreneur within the organization. Lessons to learn here.
And yet what summed up the party situation was a tweet from the man who had disconnected his government in Madhya Pradesh. “It is sad to see my old colleague, @SachinPilot too, being marginalized and persecuted by Rajasthan CM … It shows that talent and ability find little credibility in @INCIndia,” posted Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is now a prominent face of BJP.
On Saturday, Gehlot had raised the tone by hitting Pilot after police arrested two BJP members for allegedly trying to lure Congress and independent MLAs with offers of Rs 20-25 crore each. Gehlot said that “only one can be CM” although his group “can have 5 to 7 people who can be contenders for CM and can also have the capacity and talent.”
“Although Sachin is the president of the state Congress and the CM deputy, Gehlot has practically deprived him of all powers. Sachin says he can’t even recommend a transfer, “said a senior leader.
Another leader disagreed: “Those who were paralyzed because they were the children of Congressional leaders, such as Scindia and Pilot, those who have not passed through the NSUI and the Youth Congress, those who are Rahul Gandhi’s favorite people. .. they show nothing loyalty to the party … this shows how bad your judgment is on people. ”
Several leaders agreed that the leadership vacuum adds to the problems. Former law minister M Veerappa Moily and Rajya Sabha deputy Vivek Tankha said the high command should intervene immediately.
“Everyone cannot occupy the same position. Even leaders must have flexibility. But if they can’t solve this on their own, the high command should solve it immediately … Soniaji has to act now and inject discipline into the party, “said Moily.
Tankha said that “millions of congressional workers are looking to the high command to find solutions.” “As a person married to the ideology of Congress, it is very discouraging and sad to witness this weakening of the party,” he said.
“It is deeply regrettable that we seem to have learned little from the Madhya Pradesh catastrophe. Since the defeat of Lok Sabha in 2019, we have meekly surrendered Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, and have allowed our state units in Gujarat, etc., to weaken. It is imperative that the Rajasthan crisis is resolved as soon as possible, “said Sanjay Jha, who was removed as a party spokesman last month after warning in an article that the party was facing” political obsolescence. ”
However, the party’s spokesman, Abhishek Singhvi, made a contained note. “This is the time for balance, moderation, and sobriety. The differences inevitably exist, but the cause of the party is always greater. I have no doubt that this turbulence will not last, “he said.

She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.