Rajasthan elections: Sachin Pilot says decision to contest on Rahul Gandhi’s directions

Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot will contest the upcoming assembly election in Rajasthan as part of a move on the part of the Congress which is in stark contrast to the party’s strategy in Madhya Pradesh where senior leaders and perceived rivals for the top post in the state have been kept out of the fray.

Congress state chief Sachin Pilot will be contesting for the first time in assembly polls at the behest of party president Rahul Gandhi. This is significant development and it is a clear indication that Pilot’s role would be vital if Congress forms government in Rajasthan.

Two-term former chief minister Gehlot and the party’s state chief Pilot announced on Wednesday that they will contest the December 7 election.

“We both are contesting elections. Any other leader who wants to contest is most welcome,” Gehlot said at a press conference.

Pilot, on his part, acknowledged that he had decided to contest on the directions of party president Rahul Gandhi. “I have decided to contest the elections as per the instructions of Rahulji and on the request of Gehlotji. We are sure of the landslide victory of Congress in the upcoming elections,” he said.

In Madhya Pradesh, on the other hand, the party has not fielded senior leaders Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Digvijaya Singh for the assembly election scheduled for November 28.

While Ashok Gehlot is expected to contest from his home borough Sardarpura, Sachin Pilot’s constituency has yet to be decided.

Gehlot has been representing Sardarpura in Jodhpur for four consecutive terms while Pilot was Lok Sabha member twice, once each from Dausa and Ajmer, before he lost the 2014 election from Ajmer.

“Pilot, a Gujjar, may contest from Gujjar dominated constituencies. These include Masuda (Ajmer), Nagar (Bharatpur), Nasirabad (Ajmer) or Viratnagar (Jaipur). Being the state chief, Pilot can choose any of the safe seats,” said a senior Congress leader, who did not wish to be identified.