What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
The New Indian’s Executive Editor Rohan Dua, Sachin Pilot shed light on his political journey, addressing key issues, challenges, and the evolving landscape of his aspirations.
During an exclusive interview with The New Indian‘s Executive Editor Rohan Dua, Sachin Pilot shed light on his political journey, addressing key issues, challenges, and the evolving landscape of his aspirations. As the political climate heats up in Rajasthan, Pilot delved into the importance of development, the role of age in politics, and the resilience needed to navigate obstacles.
Here are a few excerpts from the interview:
Rohan Dua: Is development the key focus in Tonk for your CM aspirations, or is it the overall support from the Congress Party, Mr. Sachin Pilot?
Sachin Pilot: “Not just this particular constituency. Generally, I think every election, and especially the election in Rajasthan should be focused on issues of development. Now I think, the Congress party and we have all focused our attention on creating an ecosystem where comprehensive and inclusive development takes place in both rural and urban parts of our state. That’s what we have been talking about.
“That’s what our agenda is. That’s what our blueprint and our roadmap for the future is. Unfortunately, for the BJP, they want to talk about emotive issues, about temple issues, mosque issues, you know, because it takes the attention away from the report card that the BJP must present. So this election is important. In fact, all elections are important. You tell me one election that is not important. So we work hard and you know we are blessed that people give their support and they come out in our favour on voting day.”
Rohan Dua: Considering your high-quality education and academic qualifications, it surprised me, as a journalist, that you did not become the Chief Minister last time, which many felt you deserved. Some people, including the Congress party and constituents in Rajasthan, cited your age as a reason, considering you were around 40 or 41. Now that you are 45, and even Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of UP, do you believe age should not be a hindrance anymore?
Sachin Pilot: “There is no minimum age criteria. It’s about circumstances, it’s about the decision of the party and it is about what is the best interest of the state. So, in 2018, we won the elections. We were reduced to 21 seats in the election before that. So from 21 to increase our tally five folds to reach the halfway mark, we all worked hard.
“I was the party president but after winning the elections we all sat down together and all MLAs said that whatever the Congress President wants, that will happen and that decision was accepted by everybody. Even now, when we get majority, we will sit and talk to MLAs and the party leadership will take a call.
“So, it’s not about who is how old, it’s about what the party leadership decides to do. And that’s true for all states. It’s been a tradition and practice in the Congress party across through decades in every state. Same thing happened in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Satyagraha. So it’s not about individuals or how old you are or how young you are. It’s about what the party decides eventually.”
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Rohan Dua: Your hard work during the 2018 Tonk elections, where I interviewed you, was evident. Despite this, the rewards didn’t materialise, leading to disappointment. Did this period of unfulfilled efforts discourage you?
Sachin Pilot: “There is nothing as such disappointment in politics. It is because you are not working for personal gratification. One has to be ambitious but ambitious to create a mark in society, to lead developmental work, and to make people, their lives better and easier. That’s the agenda. Hum logon ne paanch saal kaam kiya, humaari sargaan ne kaam kiya (We worked for five years; our government worked). Whatever issues I had with what I thought needed to be done, those were discussed.
“The party accepted the points that I raised to corrective action. Now we are now on our way to victory. So it’s not about individual missions, kisko kya pad post mila (who got what post?). Doosri baat kya hai (the second thing is), it’s all destiny, what’s written. I don’t think, I believe in destiny, I believe in hard work. But that’s not to say that you have to only work because you get a particular position. A position will come and go, but you have to create that credibility, you have to make a mark, you have to make an impression in people’s hearts and minds, and that’s the real asset of political work.”
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Rohan Dua: When I covered you as a young minister, there was an image of you as a “chocolate boy.” Ashok Ghelot too mentioned that, and in 2018, you achieved a new persona. Can you replicate the same in 2023, considering your current position and the challenges you faced to reach here?
Sachin Pilot: “You know that when a person is born, how his face is, what his colour is, how tall he is, he is not in his hands. This is done by God, his parents do it. What can anyone do in that? And, when I got the opportunity to become an MP at a young age, my party gave me the opportunity, people blessed me. But the question you are asking, when I was the President, what was the use? It’s true that when I was the president, the party’s situation was not good.
“But the party has made me work. Last time I never took a stand. We won the elections, everyone worked together. No one can either fight the elections, nor can they defeat the elections, nor can they win. It has to be a team effort. At that time, the team was fine. At that time, I was the president, today I am not the president. But contributing to the party, holding meetings, campaigning, voting for people, is not an easy task. It was a team effort.”
Rohan Dua: Of course, obstacles come in life. Your government once called the Anti-Corruption Bureau on you. You held a meeting with your MLAs, and Shantidhari MLA’s were called from Delhi. Why do people exhibit jealousy when your career is already at stake? Facing obstacles when you deserve to achieve something must be hurtful.
Sachin Pilot: “I haven’t been hurt by anyone. Whatever I had to say, I stated publicly, and my party understood my perspective. A committee was formed to address my concerns, provided suggestions, and we implemented those suggestions, strengthening both our government and party. Today, we’re discussing a repetition, something that hasn’t happened in 30 years. Our progress indicates that we’ve taken actions, offered and embraced suggestions.
“This improved strength didn’t come without change. If we continue with the same approach, we’ll lose again. Hence, we’ve introduced modifications, addressing the party’s challenges. Dwelling on old stories and discussions holds no significance. As advised by Mr. Kharge and Mr. Gandhi, forgiving, forgetting, and moving on is better. Congress needs to strengthen itself; it’s the only alternative to the BJP. To achieve this, winning elections is crucial. Winning state elections is our collective objective, shared by everyone in the party.”
Rohan Dua: Mr. Pilot, you’ll agree that the issues you emotionally raised, particularly the matter of leaked exam papers, have been prominent for the past six months. Even the BJP has intensified discussions on this, overshadowing your initial concerns.
Sachin Pilot: “For the past five years, the BJP was inactive while 27 lakh students diligently worked hard, including village kids who moved to the city, paid rent, took tuitions, attended coaching classes, and invested significant sums of money. Unfortunately, the papers got leaked, leading to their dreams being shattered. No one has the right to jeopardise the future of young people in the state or the country. I’m pleased that we addressed this issue, and the party acknowledged it, prompting the state government to enact a new law. This law stipulates that anyone involved in paper leaks could face punishment, including up to life imprisonment.
“The only state in the country to make a law invoking life imprisonment for paper leaks. So it’s acting as a deterrent for the future. So we are ready to do everything to make ourselves credible in the public eye. We want to do it, but the BJP was sleeping for five years. What did they do?”
Rohan Dua: Given the extensive legwork and hard work you’ve invested over the past 10 years, what are your expectations if you were to become the CM? Conversely, what would be your perspective if you do not secure the position?
Sachin Pilot: “The question you’re posing is not the right one. You should ask about the potential performance of our government. Let our government come to power first. I am actively contributing to the party’s victory. Once the results are in, we will have a comprehensive and smooth discussion. Whatever decisions the party makes will be agreed upon by everyone in the Congress. Currently, our primary focus is on achieving a majority and forming the government. The leadership will decide on the allocation of responsibilities.”
Rohan Dua: But you agree that today you have become much more popular than you were before. Last time, I saw you in the driver’s seat, you took me for a drive. Today you have the police force with you and people surround?
Sachin Pilot: Politics is not a popularity contest. Politics is about doing meaningful work on the ground and leaving an impression in people’s hearts and minds.
