The central leadership of the Congress heaved a sigh of relief as Sachin Pilot avoided any confrontational rhetoric during his fast against "corruption" in Jaipur on Tuesday, hoping that the young leader won’t precipitate a crisis.

Both sides appeared to have toned down amidst a toughening of stance by the central leadership and Pilot’s defiant attitude. While Pilot hasn’t uttered a word against the party leadership, speculation was rife that he had made up his mind to part ways and launch a separate outfit. Sources close to him, however, asserted he was a loyal Congressman and would not leave the party and that he was only intensifying the battle against the BJP.

A late-night statement on Monday describing Pilot’s proposed fast as “anti-party activity” unambiguously revealed the central leadership’s mind that it didn’t appreciate the public spectacle at this stage.

The Rajasthan Congress in-charge, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, had said: “Sachin Pilot’s day-long fast tomorrow is against the party interests and is anti-party activity. If there is any issue with his own government, it can be discussed in the party forums instead of in the media and public.”

Randhawa, who is expected to reach Jaipur on Wednesday to hold discussions with all sides, added: “I have been an AICC in-charge for the last five months and Pilot has never discussed this issue with me. I am in touch with him and I still appeal for calm dialogue since he is an indisputable asset to the Congress party.”

The expression “anti-party activity” was a clear sign of a crackdown and a message that chief minister Ashok Gehlot was not going to be disturbed.

Pilot appeared extremely cautious when he spoke after the completion of the fast, avoiding any criticism of the Congress central leadership as well as Gehlot. He didn’t even make vague references to Gehlot’s perceived failures, only insisting that corruption cases against BJP leader Vasundhara Raja Scindia were not pursued. He said: “I am not asking for vendetta politics. There was credible evidence of corruption… liquor scam, land, mining scams, links with fugitive Lalit Modi.”

Pilot said the entire Opposition was united on the issue of corruption and Rahul Gandhi was leading the fight against graft.

“Even in Karnataka, the people are going to evict the 40 per cent commission government. I have been talking about action in cases against the Vasundhara government. We exposed Vasundhara’s corruption but didn’t take action. We have to refurbish our credentials before going to the people again. I hope action will be taken,” Pilot said.

There was no evidence of soft posturing on the BJP and even speculation about his future revolved around the possibility of floating a new party which could align with Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal’s outfit Rashtriya Loktantrik Party and the AAP to offer a credible challenge.

There was no obvious manifestation of his desire to become chief minister, but Pilot’s supporters say he was betrayed by the party as some senior leaders supported Gehlot.