There is potential for upheaval in Rajasthan Congress politics after the Lok Sabha election results on June 4. The five phases of voting so far suggest that Congress is unlikely to replicate its 2004 performance. While the definitive outcome will be known on June 4, the likelihood of a miraculous turnaround is slim. Congress could have achieved better results in the general elections if it had won the Rajasthan assembly elections last year.
However, internal conflicts and poor decisions led to the party losing an otherwise winnable election. Despite the defeat, party leaders failed to learn from their mistakes. Factionalism was evident during the Lok Sabha elections, with internal conflicts prominently displayed in rhetoric and on social media.
The conflict between former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former state president Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan is well known. Now many more groups are trying to form. If Congress wins seats like Churu and Sikar in the Lok Sabha elections, then state president Govind Singh Dotasara will get strength. Dotasara is also considered to have played a role in the victory in Jat dominated areas in the assembly elections. Like in BJP, in Rajasthan Congress also the real fight is over the chair. The BJP has a powerful central leadership, that is why no one is saying anything right now. But it is the opposite in Congress. Due to weak central leadership, Congress loses the won battle.
Although there are four and a half years for the assembly elections in Rajasthan, but if the settings are made from now, then something will happen in 2028. Supporters of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot already believe that 2028 is theirs. That would mean right now no group should think about vying for the CM’s chair.
On the other hand, the Sachin Pilot camp believes that now it is their turn. Dotasara supporters also have similar hopes. Harish Chaudhary’s supporters feel that Rahul Gandhi knows him. Therefore they will also try. While Jitendra Singh is a friend of the high command, his supporters feel that the fight will be like a lottery. All the leaders are active in their own way and are trying to woo Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. Former Chief Minister Gehlot has taken the responsibility of Amethi, the seat of the Gandhi family, as an observer. He was seen campaigning for Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma in the scorching heat along with his supporters in the streets of Amethi. He also had meetings with Priyanka Gandhi during this period. Also met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The message was sent that Gehlot is still close to the Gandhi family. If Congress wins Amethi, Gehlot will get some benefit, but on the other hand, Sachin Pilot kept himself active by giving a lot of interviews in the national media.
Now, whatever be the result on June 4, there will have to be a reshuffle in the Congress organization. If the results are not good, then the voice will be raised. It is possible that a round of resignations will start again, because after the Lok Sabha, there is a long list of state elections.
Along with Haryana, there will be elections in states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar. In such a situation, the party will have to take some decisions.
Many such appointments have been made in the party, which should not have been made. If sources are to be believed, party president Mallikarjun Kharge had also requested Rahul Gandhi to give a chance to a leader from a Hindi speaking state in place of Venugopal. He had also suggested the name of Randeep Surjewala, but Rahul did not agree. Now if Congress is not able to perform well even on June 4, then questions will be raised on Rahul Gandhi again. In such a situation, there is a possibility that Ashok Gehlot may again get an important post in the organization in Delhi. Sachin can also be retained on the post of General Secretary in Delhi.
At the same time, Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara is definitely in tension. His only tension is that he can be removed at any time on the pretext of expiry of his tenure. Therefore, his attempt was to become the legislature party leader, but a call from Rahul Gandhi dashed his hopes. Dotasara’s tension is right, but it will not be easy for the party to remove him. Slowly but surely he has established himself as a Jat leader. It is certain that now whatever changes take place in Congress, Priyanka Gandhi will have an influence in it.
