The irreconcilable differences between Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu have created much noise but what has emerged as a bigger headache for the Congress central leadership is the defiance of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot against the efforts to accommodate Sachin Pilot loyalists.
Insiders revealed that Gehlot has stopped paying heed to the suggestions of the central leadership on this and doesn’t even respond to general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken. This has happened despite party president Sonia Gandhi taking it upon herself to resolve the crisis in Rajasthan as it was threatening to slip out of control yet again. A formula to accommodate Pilot supporters has already been worked out but the central leadership has not been able to execute it because of Gehlot’s defiance.
As discontent started manifesting again because the Pilot camp felt betrayed, arguing that the promises made last year when they revolted were not fulfilled, the central leadership swung into action to resolve the issue. Pilot was offered the post of national general secretary but he refused to accept any assignment till his supporters were suitably adjusted.
Sources said Priyanka Gandhi, general secretary in-charge of organisation K.C. Venugopal and Maken prepared a compromise formula and asked Gehlot to accommodate some of the Pilot supporters in the ministry and the organisation.
But Gehlot, unhappy with the proposal, declared that he will not meet anybody for a month. The excuse was doctor’s advice as some 40 people in his office and security had been infected with Covid. Gehlot has been since then holding meetings through videoconference, delaying any possibility of a cabinet expansion.
Sources said both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have interpreted this as defiance and asked Maken to get the compromise formula implemented as soon as possible.
Party leaders pointed out that Amarinder has appeared before the committee set up by Sonia to resolve the differences in Punjab twice within a fortnight and also demonstrated readiness to accommodate Sidhu but Gehlot has not shown any interest in resolving the crisis. Amarinder has also shown the maturity of not responding to Sidhu’s repeated attacks, keeping the party’s larger interest in mind. Sidhu has refused to relent, insisting that he won’t give up till the issues he raised were addressed satisfactorily. His main charge is that the chief minister is soft on the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Badal family.
While the turmoil in party-ruled states is doubtless a reflection on the weak central leadership and an effective crisis management system in the Congress, Rajasthan is certain to erupt again if issues aren’t resolved soon.
The bitterness has increased so much that one MLA told The Telegraph over the phone from Jaipur: “The gossip in Rajasthan is that Gehlot listens more to Vasundhara Raje than Sonia Gandhi. The axis is troubling the BJP as well. The chief minister branded us as defectors and BJP stooges when we rebelled last year but he has himself been sending negative vibes to the high command.”
He added: “The wife of poet Kumar Vishwash who abused Rahul and even contested from Amethi has been made a Rajasthan Public Service Commission member with a minister of state rank. The daughter of Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankar has been made the information commissioner. But Congress MLAs cannot be made ministers. What message is Gehlot sending?”
Focus on these petty details suggests the differences are both personal as well as political and cannot be resolved amicably. But Gehlot’s seniority and stature is not allowing any tough action, intensifying unease within the Pilot camp. While the leadership crisis at the top has certainly emboldened state leaders to behave irresponsibly, the inability of veterans to accommodate the aspirations of younger leaders has also created a major problem for the party.
