Sachin Pilot's Ghar Wapsi: Did BJP Bet On The Wrong Horse in Rajasthan?

Senior rebel leader Sachin Pilot was back in the Congress fold ending days of high drama which had created a political crisis in Rajasthan. After a one-on-one with Congress leaders Rajiv Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, it was time for Ghar Wapsi (homecoming) for Sachin. Kapil Sibal took a jibe at the BJP in a cryptic tweet soon after Pilot flew back home to Jaipur after meeting the Gandhi siblings, thanking especially Priyanka. In a tweet, senior Congressman and advocate Kapil posted this...

Let's focus on the last word he mentioned in the tweet. It says But opportunism 'uncured' which clearly means he was taking a jibe at BJP which is known to have gotten into a habit of poaching people from other parties and particularly, the Congress in recent times.

After emerging from meeting with the Gandhis, Sachin Pilot said his rebellion had to do with a lot of promises that went unfulfilled by the party and now after talking to the top brass, he was sure problems would be resolved. So, what are the demands that were laid down by Sachin Pilot before the Congress High Command?

Apparently, Pilot sought redressal of the following issues which the top Congress leadership is said to have readily accepted.

1. Sachin's close aides will be back as ministers

2. Henceforth, Pilot will also be allowed to have a say in political postings

However, Sachin pilot who had nursed the ambition of becoming the chief minister of Rajasthan may not be able to fulfil his dreams anytime soon as the Congress High Command, according to the sources, has not given any such assurance to him. Even though the coup to toppled the Ashok Gehlot government has failed, Pilot did have a dignified comeback with the High Command agreeing to have two members from his camp in the Gehlot Cabinet. On the other hand, Gehlot's plan to keep Sachin away from the party permanently too has bombed while Pilot has been rewarded for making a comeback to the Congress fold.

So who exactly won the game? Was it Ashok Gehlot or Sachin Pilot? Neither for both of them saved the face of Congress in their own way. While Gehlot kept his ground even when all the drama was happening, Sachin finally had to resort to homecoming. Either way, Congress emerged victoriously and for a change, BJP attempted to poach Opposition party MLAs to topple the existing government and grab power backfired.

While Congress has accused the BJP of horse-trading and even went to the extent of quoting a certain amount for buying each MLA from the enemy camp, it appears BJP was betting on a wrong horse in Rajasthan. This is because just when they thought they had it all and had come close to taking Sachin and his loyalists under his fold, the congress leader dealt a major blow by making a u-turn.