From dedicatedly reaching out to people of Rajasthan to blowing confidence in the Congress workers in the state, Sachin Pilot has remained at the forefront of all the activities.
“Congress’ victory in Ajmer will not only create MLAs and MPs but when Congress wins here, the throne will topple in Delhi,” roaring from the stage was Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot. Congress’s Rajasthan Bypoll win has left the party workers across the country ecstatic. The state where Congress was wiped out in 2014 Lok Sabha Election, came as a ray of hope for Congress which is reviving under the new President Rahul Gandhi.
Undoubtedly, the Man of the Match for Congress was Sachin Pilot. From working more than 12 hours a day reaching out to people of Rajasthan to blowing confidence in the Congress workers in the state, the 40-year old leader remained at the forefront of all the activities.
Pilot has mostly remained an admirable figure in the Congress party. Those who believed Congress will bring the new generation in Governance also named Sachin Pilot as one of the key factors. His journey in Congress has not been extraordinary of sorts. Pilot stepping in his father’s footsteps entered politics in 2002 at the young age of 25. At the age of 36, he became the youngest Parliamentarian. His father Rajesh Pilot, was a Union Minister. His mother Rama pilot too had contested Assembly elections. Even though, his entry in Congress was viewed as another product of Nepotism getting a Launchpad, unlike many others he has been able to galvanize the support from the grassroot level workers and masses.
His elevation to the position of state party president was not received well by the senior party leaders too. In 2013 Rajasthan Assembly election, Congress performed poorly. From Pilot’s parliamentary constituency Congress was not able to send even a single MLA to the assembly. In light of this, his elevation definitely sent out a wave of discontent among the senior leaders. In 2014 Lok Sabha election, Pilot lost to Sanwar Lal Jat. The defeat came as a setback and raised questions on his credibility of being at the helm of Congress’ state unit.
But, Sachin Pilot’s dedication and hard work went beyond the defeat. Unlike the party President Rahul Gandhi who is mostly surrounded by party leaders, Sachin Pilot has far more connect with common people. For his age, Pilot has rarely landed in trouble for slip of tongue. A great orator, his Gujjar roots also bring the weight to his position. Pilot is not only charismatic and approachable but also strikes a chord with youngsters. During his campaign trail, it is quite unsurprising to see him sit on the floor and have a lunch with party workers and common people.
Unlike his political career, his personal life is no less than a dramatic Bollywood movie. Sachin while studying abroad fell in love with Sarah, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. Sarah’s family was against their marriage but both decided to go against their families and tied the knot in 2004, just two years after Sachin entered politics. They have two sons Aaran and Vehaan and lead a quite happy life. Very few people might know this that Sachin Pilot is the only Union minister of India to be commissioned as an officer in the Territorial Army. After being commissioned he said, “This has been my desire to join the army for very long as I wanted to have my links with the armed forces, like my father and grandfather. I am honoured to be part of this family.”
After winning all the three bypolls, he said, “It is our new year gift to President Rahul Gandhi.” The victory of Congress in the bypoll has cemented Sachin Pilot’s position in the state unit. Months ahead of Rajasthan Assembly polls the bypoll result in favour of Congress has also catapulted Pilot’s candidature for Chief Minister. However, sources indicate that another camp is eager to have former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot declared the CM candidate. The senior leader enjoys quite a good support among workers who would also “go on war” for him to be declared the CM candidate. In such volatile internal situation, Sachin appears to step his foot cautiously. While he avoids any question on his candidacy, he does not fail to boast of his working style where he places senior leaders of the party at the front too.
Sachin Pilot is not only a charismatic and dynamic young leader, over the course of time he has also seemed to master the caste equations which was evident in the Rajasthan Bypoll. The young leader who was once considered the youngest of all has aged as a politician. He has also proved to be a leader taller than his age. Sachin Pilot as a Chief Minister will only boost Congress’ image as the party that is shedding its old skin and infusing new blood into the governance. We hope Rahul Gandhi is listening.
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