The deceptive calm within the Rajasthan Congress has shattered once again. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s latest media push has re-litigated the infamous September 2022 leadership crisis, effectively starting “Round 2” of his long-running narrative war against his rival, Sachin Pilot.
While Gehlot frames his comments as an attempt to clear his name and call for unity, the strategic timing suggests a calculated move to retain control of the state party apparatus just as major organizational changes loom.
One Crisis, Two Irreconcilable Stories
The current dispute centers on a fundamental disagreement over what actually happened on September 25, 2022. At the time, Gehlot was slated to move to Delhi as the national Congress President, and central leadership expected to install Pilot as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan. That plan collapsed when over 100 Gehlot-loyalist MLAs staged a mass boycott.
The Emotional Leverage: “I Treated Him Like a Son”
Gehlot has added a deeply personal dimension to the political feud by shifting the conversation toward mentorship and betrayal.
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The Unacknowledged Favor: Gehlot publicly asserted that he played a pivotal role in securing Pilot’s early appointment to the UPA-era Union Cabinet, claiming Pilot called him to request help.
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The Trust Deficit: Expressing personal hurt, Gehlot lamented that Pilot has never publicly acknowledged this support, stating that a simple confirmation to his peers would have bridged their trust gap.
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The Paternal Defense: Despite calling Pilot nikamma (useless) in past flare-ups, Gehlot maintained that he has “no personal enmity” and has always treated Pilot like a son, blaming “outside advisors” for keeping the bitterness alive.
Why the Feud Has Reignited Now
This historical re-drafting is driven by immediate political stakes. The power balance within the Rajasthan Congress is shifting, and both factions are angling for dominance ahead of structural changes.
The Looming Leadership Vacuum
Current state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara is nearing the end of his term. With rumors circulating that the central leadership is considering Pilot for the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidency, Gehlot’s supporters are actively maneuvering to block a transition that would hand Pilot absolute control over the state’s organizational machinery.
Changing Math in the Cadre
The internal numbers have evolved significantly since the 2023 assembly defeat:
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The MP Factor: Following recent general elections, 11 of the Congress party’s newly elected Lok Sabha MPs from Rajasthan are considered staunch Pilot loyalists.
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National Exposure: While Gehlot defends his legacy in Jaipur, Pilot has been elevated to AICC General Secretary-in-charge for Chhattisgarh and has built capital by campaigning heavily across states like Assam and Kerala.
The Structural Threat: While Gehlot insists his goal is to help the party “unite and fight the broader national challenge,” re-opening these deep factional wounds severely weakens the Congress party’s ability to counter the BJP’s formidable, highly disciplined electoral machinery in the state.
