After resolving the Punjab political crisis, the Congress high command is now taking steps to address the simmering tension in Rajasthan by suitably rehabilitating Sachin Pilot.
The Central leadership of the Congress on Sunday convened a meeting of party MLAs and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to reach for an amicable solution to resolve the 18-month-long political turmoil in the State.
The Congress is taking steps to resolve the internal crisis in several States, including Punjab, Uttarakhand, Assam and Manipur.
In the meeting at Jaipur chaired by AICC General Secretary Organisation KC Venugopal and AICC in-charge Ajay Maken, all the party MLAs were instructed to be present in Jaipur as the Cabinet expansion is likely to take place on Wednesday. Pilot too was present in the meeting.
Both the AICC leaders had met Gehlot on Saturday and discussed the expansion and the significant role to be given to Pilot and his side of MLAs. One meeting also took place between them on Saturday and a separate meeting with Pilot was also conducted.
Late in the evening, Maken and Venugopal left Jaipur reportedly taking along a proposed list of candidates who can be elevated to different posts, both in the organisation and the State Government for the consent and discussion with party president Sonia Gandhi.
The meeting comes amid reports that the Sachin Pilot-led Congress faction is reportedly upset with the party high command over the continued delay in the expansion of the State Cabinet.
AICC sources said Venugopal, Maken and Gehlot discussed the reconciliation formula for a Cabinet expansion and reshuffle. Apart from this, the issue of appointments pending in boards, corporations in the State was also discussed. Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara was also present in the meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence.
Sources also mentioned that Ashok Gehlot told both the leaders that whatever decision is taken regarding political appointments, it is necessary to have the consent of senior party leaders, Congress representatives and local leaders.
Pilot was sacked as the Deputy Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief in July 2020 after he rebelled against the leadership of Ashok Gehlot.
Talking to the MLAs on Sunday, Maken said he will be coming to Rajasthan for two days again on July 28 and 29.
Asked when the Cabinet expansion will take place in the State, Maken said, “We cannot bound ourselves to take this big decision on a particular date. The Congress leaders have expressed their faith in the central leadership; everything has been decided mutually,” he said briefing the media.\
“All the Congress workers have said in one voice that they shall abide by what the Congress high command says. We are discussing the Cabinet expansion and appointments at different levels,” Maken added.
A couple of days earlier, Pilot had indicated that the Congress would take suitable steps soon to address issues raised by him. He had said that he is in touch with the party high command over the issues raised by him and hoped that the required steps would be taken soon.
Last month, MLAs from the Pilot camp said that the party should fulfill the promises made to Pilot last month, following which the demand for Cabinet expansion and political appointments gained momentum.
At present, there are 21 members in the council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, and nine slots are vacant. Rajasthan can have a maximum of 30 Ministers.
Rajasthan Cabinet rejig gained momentum after the Congress high command intervened in Punjab to pacify the infighting among factions led by Navjot Singh Sidhu and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.