Rajasthan By-Election / When will Pilot return to Rajasthan politics? 7 seats will decide the by-election

Rajasthan By-Election: The by-elections being held on 7 assembly seats in Rajasthan, while on one hand are proving to be a litmus test for the Bhajan Lal government, this election is also important for Congress veteran Sachin Pilot. This by-election is not only going to affect the politics of the state, but can also decide the future direction of Pilot. The result of these 7 seats will make it clear how strong Sachin Pilot is in the politics of Rajasthan, and whether his political future is still at the center of the party?

Sachin Pilot's activism in central politics

After the defeat of Congress in Rajasthan in the 2023 assembly elections, Sachin Pilot was sent to Delhi by the Congress. There, Pilot was made in-charge of Chhattisgarh in Mallikarjun Kharge's new team. Despite this, Pilot's eyes are constantly on the politics of Rajasthan. He is trying to return to state politics as soon as possible and take charge of the Congress in the 2028 assembly elections.

By-elections on 7 seats: Suspense over Pilot's stronghold

Out of the 7 seats in Rajasthan where by-elections are being held, 3 seats—Dausa, Deoli-Uniyara and Jhunjhunu—are considered to be Sachin Pilot's traditional strongholds. Pilot's close aide Murari Lal Meena from Dausa, Harish Meena from Deoli and Brijendra Ola from Jhunjhunu had won the elections, but they have become MPs in 2024. Pilot's supporters have been given tickets on these seats.

The results of these three seats will decide whether Pilot maintains his political hold in Rajasthan or not. Pilot's dominance is important in Dausa, Deoli-Uniyara and Jhunjhunu, and if his influence weakens here, it will raise a big question on his political future.

Impact on the position of Congress in Rajasthan

Apart from Dausa, Deoli and Jhunjhunu, by-elections are also being held in Ramgarh, Salambur, Chaurasi and Khinvsar. Ramgarh was held by the Congress, while Salambur was won by the BJP. Baap won in Chaurasi and Hanuman Beniwal won in Khinvsar. This time the role of the state Congress has been prominent in the distribution of Congress tickets on these seats.

If the performance of the Congress on these seats is not as expected, then the state Congress may face embarrassment. In the 2024 elections, the Congress alliance won 11 out of 25 seats in Rajasthan, but if the Congress gets fewer seats than expected in the by-elections, then the political pressure on the state Congress leadership may increase.

Dotasara's tenure and Pilot's future

In 2020, the command of Rajasthan Congress was handed over to Jat leader Govind Singh Dotasara. Under the leadership of Dotasara, the Congress performed well in the 2023 and 2024 elections and the support of the Jat community was also in favor of the Congress. Now Dotasara's four-year term has been completed, and under the Udaipur Declaration, he can remain the state president for a maximum of five years.

It is being said that the search for a new president may begin as soon as Dotasara's term ends, and in this situation Sachin Pilot can be given the command of the state Congress. Because whoever becomes the new president in 2025, he will have to lead the party in preparation for the 2028 assembly elections.

Conclusion: Big turning point in Rajasthan politics

The by-elections in Rajasthan can prove to be a turning point for the Congress and Pilot. If the Congress performs well on these 7 seats and Pilot's hold appears strong, then his political future can be bright. On the other hand, if the Congress faces disappointment, then the process of leadership change in the state Congress can accelerate further, which can make Pilot's role important.

The result of these by-elections will set a new direction in the politics of the state and open the way for a political comeback for Pilot or he will have to wait longer.