The high-octane drama that has so far defined the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan where the essence of the storyline is ‘tussle for power’, reached another high note on Tuesday with the removal of Sachin Pilot from the post of Deputy CM by the Congress. Although a few more episodes are still left to be seen which will make clear about the ultimate fate awaiting the desert state’s current Assembly, it's almost certain that exit of Pilot from the Congress, either self-decided or a full disciplinary ouster, will now be a matter of time, making it yet another high-profile departure after Jyotiraditya Scindia. Irrespective of the final outcome of the crisis which snowballed into a ‘point of no return’ either for Pilot or the grand-old party by late evening on the eventful day, it's for sure that the latter, certainly, is now a shadow of its glorious past. If one more government slips out of its hands, largely due to in-fightings in its ranks, it goes without saying that it’s high time for some deep introspection. Else, it will be increasingly difficult for them to remain relevant in the country’s political landscape.
Reading the developments of the Rajasthan political stalemate, a telling similarity in ‘script’ with that of Madhya Pradesh and many other earlier ‘upheavals’ can be observed. Astute encashing of the resentment among the ‘young blood’ in the Congress by the BJP and with deft manoeuvres and compass accuracy, dismantling of the democratically-chosen state governments, one after another- this has been the repetitive affair over the last couple of years. While there might be debate regarding the methods engineered by the alleged ‘poachers’, the question, why the elder-most political organisation of the world’s largest democracy will fall susceptible to such ‘attempts’, time and again, needs to be asked. Coming straight to the Rajasthan fiasco, knowing fully well that the ‘old vs young’ tussle has been disturbingly effectual from day one in 2018 when the Congress snatched power, overwhelming the mighty BJP, it is surprising that its central leadership has not done the reconciliation exercise in a manner that would shield its ranks from onslaughts. Lack of urgency in repairing the fault lines at appropriate moments in this case has made fishing easier in muddy waters. Strangely enough, the crisis managers of the beleaguered party do have initiated rescue efforts, but only at junctures when their fortresses have been penetrated already.
It is rather unfortunate that Congress is still not learning the lessons even after so many mishaps. Its top leadership must realise that a serious soul searching and a change of strategy, which must essentially give space to the young leadership, must be initiated.
Otherwise, more such desertions will hardly be avoidable. As a political entity, Congress must remain afloat, more for the sake of Indian democracy, than for itself. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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