The inclusion of Sachin Pilot in Congress Working Committee (CWC) – the highest executive body of the party – is again reiteration of importance of Pilot in the upcoming Rajasthan and Lok Sabha elections. This all powerful committee which has all the senior members including former prime minister Manmohan, members of the Gandhi family – Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka.
For last few months, Congress has been sending political messages to Pilot acknowledging his role in the party. Earlier, last month Pilot was included in the state election committee and screening committee.
Even Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who is said to have not been keeping along well with Pilot, has visibly softened his stand by slamming BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya over his tweets on Rajesh Pilot. Malviya had claimed that Sachin Pilot's father Rajesh Pilot had dropped bombs as an air force pilot in Mizoram in March 1966.
Gehlot was quick on condemning BJP for insulting the sacrifice of the Indian Air Force. In a tweet, he acclaimed Rajesh Pilot as a brave pilot. Both Ashok Gehlot and Rajesh Pilot were considered close to Rahul Gandh's father Rajiv Gandhi.
Why Congress needs to pacify Sachin Pilot
Sachin Pilot has a great following among youth, especially in eastern Rajasthan. He has the potential to influence at least 40 seats in the state. Pilot, who had nursed a dream of becoming chief minister, was said to be miffed with the party after Congress continued with Gehlot as the chief minister. Now Congress knows that the party can repeat only if Pilot gives his complete engagement to the party. So Congress is giving strong political messages through his inclusion in important organisational committees as well as poll committees.
Three more members from Rajasthan in CWC
Apart from Sachin Pilot, the CWC has three more members – Jitendra Singh, Mahedrajeet Singh Malviya and Harish Choudhary.
The list of permanent invitees includes names such as former Karnataka CM M Veerappa Moily, former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat, Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore, and former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. The list of special invitees includes senior leader Pawan Khera, former MLA from Delhi Alka Lamba and national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate.
The CWC is the “highest executive authority” of the Congress, and has the final say in interpreting and applying the provisions of the party's constitution. It also technically has the power to remove or appoint the party president.
Alok Mathur is a law graduate. Journalism is his first love which he now pursues in the latter half of his career. Controversies and crime are the right triggers for him.
