Rajasthans deputy chief minister and Congress state president Sachin Pilot has become one of the most sought after campaigners in his party. Pilot is likely to cover Kashmir to Kanyakumari when it comes to canvassing during Lok Sabha polls.
Pilot had shown his political acumen and oratory skills during Rajasthan’s assembly polls held earlier this year. It was he who travelled across the length and breadth of the state to bring the Congress back to power in Rajasthan, where it was decimated in the 2013 assembly polls.
Pilot’s itinerary is hard to believe. Many mornings he is somewhere in Rajasthan and by late afternoon he is another state. And he is attracting crowds wherever he addresses rallies, during which he raises all relevant issues in his speeches.
Educated in one of the worlds premier institutions, Wharton, Pilot is an emerging as youth icon. He is very popular among the youth and his personal style is being emulated by many in the party and beyond. He may at times be accused of running the party as a CEO but he has proven time and again that he is running it efficiently and effectively.
Pilot has changed over the years. The first time I met him, five odd years ago, was for an interview. He seemed shy, and appeared to not want to share or speak freely. Even then Pilot was amiable and far removed from the typical Indian politician.
Much has changed since then.
Now, Pilot is among the best orators in the Congress, is knowledgeable and can speak on any subject. He speaks his heart out, and has also become politically shrewd. Perhaps thats why he is one of the most sought after politician in the Congress party.
Sure, Pilot has his detractors, but no matter what one might think of him personally, it is tough to deny that he will likely soon be among the Congress’s top brass.
Anil Sharma is a senior journalist and political analyst.