Jaipur: After Punjab, there is a flurry of political developments now in Rajasthan. Returning to Jaipur after holding a marathon meeting with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi September 17, Sachin Pilot held a two-hour long meeting with Speaker CP Joshi Thursday evening. Last month too, Pilot had met Joshi but that was to express condolences for the death of the latter's brother.
However, Thursday's meeting is being seen as purely political. It is believed that Pilot is now engaged in cultivating party leaders in Rajasthan as well. Following the meeting between Pilot and Joshi, speculations are gaining ground that pending matters like cabinet expansion, political appointments and organisation expansion will be resolved by the Congress during Navratri. Leaders and workers of the party have been waiting for this for long.
Also read: Sachin Pilot visits Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, leaders mum on meeting
Word is going around that during Navratri itself, it will be decided whether Pilot will be given responsibilities in Rajasthan or at the Centre. In light of this, he is meeting and cultivating all top party leaders who have full hold on Rajasthan.
Political speculations have been also sparked off after the Pilot-Joshi meeting because, after Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot, Joshi is the only leader in Rajasthan who is in full touch with the Congress high command. As Joshi has a number of MLAs who are his supporters, his support is important for Pilot. Some observers are also saying that Pilot met Joshi with a message from the Congress high command.
It may be mentioned that though Joshi currently holds a constitutional post as the Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly, he is one of the leaders from Rajasthan who is closest to the Congress high command. This was the reason why in the UPA government, he had the Ministry of Railways and Road Transport. After he left the government, Joshi was made party in-charge of seven states. Given this, if any big political development happens in Rajasthan, then the support of CP Joshi will be necessary for the Congress high command.
