JAIPUR — Congress leader Sachin Pilot has launched a two-day outreach tour across the tribal-dominated Mewar and Vagad regions of southern Rajasthan, a move political analysts say is part of the party’s early preparations for the 2028 state assembly elections. The tour, which began on Monday, includes visits to Udaipur, Dungarpur, and Banswara—districts where tribal communities form a significant portion of the electorate. Local Congress leaders say the outreach focuses on addressing long-standing issues such as land rights, education, and welfare scheme implementation, while also mobilizing party workers ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The visit comes at a critical juncture for the Congress, which suffered a decisive defeat in the 2023 Rajasthan assembly elections, losing power to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a single term. Pilot, a former deputy chief minister and one of the party’s most prominent faces in the state, has been positioning himself as a key organizational leader, often seen as a counterweight to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. His outreach to tribal communities—who constitute nearly 13% of Rajasthan’s population—underscores the Congress’ attempt to reclaim lost ground in regions where it has historically enjoyed strong support but has faced recent erosion.
What Happened: A Strategic Tour with Multiple Objectives
Pilot’s tour is not merely a routine political visit. According to local Congress sources, the itinerary includes closed-door meetings with tribal community leaders, village councils (panchayats), and grassroots party workers. The discussions have reportedly centered on three key issues: the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), which grants land rights to tribal and forest-dwelling communities; access to education and healthcare in remote areas; and the delivery of central and state welfare schemes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
In Udaipur, Pilot visited the tribal-dominated Gogunda and Kherwara tehsils, where he held public meetings and interacted with local residents. In Dungarpur and Banswara—both districts with a tribal population exceeding 60%—he met with representatives of the Bhil and Garasia communities, two of the largest tribal groups in the state. Congress leaders accompanying Pilot told reporters that the tour was aimed at “reconnecting with the ground” and addressing “systemic neglect” of tribal issues by the current BJP government.
The timing of the tour is particularly notable. With the 2028 assembly elections still nearly two years away, the Congress appears to be adopting a long-term strategy to rebuild its organizational structure in Rajasthan. This approach contrasts with the party’s last-minute campaign efforts in 2023, which many analysts blamed for its poor performance. Pilot’s outreach also follows recent visits by other senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, who have been crisscrossing the state in an attempt to revive the party’s fortunes.
Why It Matters: Tribal Voters as a Key Battleground
Rajasthan’s tribal communities have long been a crucial voting bloc, particularly in the southern and southeastern regions of the state. The Mewar-Vagad belt, which includes districts like Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh, has traditionally been a Congress stronghold. However, in recent years, the BJP has made significant inroads, winning several tribal-dominated assembly seats in the 2013, 2018, and 2023 elections. The shift has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the BJP’s welfare schemes, its outreach to tribal leaders, and the Congress’ perceived organizational weaknesses.
The 2023 assembly elections underscored this trend. While the Congress won only 66 seats—down from 100 in 2018—the BJP secured a comfortable majority with 115 seats. In tribal-dominated constituencies, the BJP’s performance improved markedly, with the party winning 12 out of 25 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), compared to just 5 in 2018. The Congress, meanwhile, saw its tally in these seats drop from 18 to 11.
Pilot’s focus on tribal issues is therefore strategically significant. If the Congress can regain its traditional support base among these communities, it could pose a serious challenge to the BJP’s dominance in the state. However, the party faces an uphill battle. The BJP has been aggressively pushing its welfare schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and the Ayushman Bharat health insurance program, in tribal areas, often portraying them as more effective than the Congress’ initiatives. Additionally, the BJP has been successful in co-opting local tribal leaders, some of whom have switched allegiance from the Congress in recent years.
Background and Context: The Congress’ Decline and the BJP’s Rise in Rajasthan
The Congress’ loss in the 2023 Rajasthan elections marked the end of a tumultuous five-year term, during which the party was plagued by internal factionalism. The rivalry between then-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, which came to a head in 2020 when Pilot briefly rebelled against Gehlot’s leadership, had weakened the party’s organizational structure. While the two leaders eventually reconciled, the damage to the Congress’ unity was evident in the 2023 polls, where the party struggled to present a cohesive campaign.
The BJP, on the other hand, capitalized on the Congress’ infighting and projected a united front under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The party’s campaign focused on issues such as law and order, development, and welfare delivery, which resonated with voters across urban and rural constituencies. The BJP’s victory was also aided by the Modi government’s popularity at the national level, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies drawing large crowds in the state.
For the Congress, the 2023 defeat was a wake-up call. Since then, the party has been attempting to rebuild its organizational structure, with Pilot playing a central role in these efforts. His outreach to tribal communities is part of a broader strategy to reconnect with key voter groups that have drifted away from the party. However, the Congress’ ability to regain its footing in Rajasthan will depend on several factors, including its ability to resolve internal differences, counter the BJP’s welfare narrative, and effectively address local grievances.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty: Will Pilot’s Outreach Translate into Electoral Gains?
While Pilot’s tour has been framed as a step toward reviving the Congress’ fortunes in Rajasthan, its long-term impact remains uncertain. Political analysts point to several challenges that could undermine the party’s efforts.
First, the BJP’s organizational strength in tribal areas has grown significantly over the past decade. The party has invested heavily in grassroots mobilization, often leveraging its network of local leaders and affiliated organizations such as the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, which works among tribal communities. The BJP’s welfare schemes, particularly those targeting women and marginalized groups, have also found traction in these regions. For instance, the Ujjwala Yojana (free LPG connections) and the Har Ghar Jal (tap water) scheme have been widely publicized in tribal-dominated districts, with the BJP claiming credit for their implementation.
Second, the Congress’ internal dynamics could pose a hurdle. While Pilot has emerged as a key leader in the state, his relationship with other senior Congress figures, including Ashok Gehlot, remains complex. Gehlot, who served as chief minister until 2023, still wields significant influence within the party, and there have been reports of friction between his supporters and Pilot’s camp. If these tensions resurface, they could undermine the Congress’ ability to present a united front in the 2028 elections.
Third, the Congress’ messaging on tribal issues has yet to gain significant traction. While Pilot’s tour has highlighted concerns such as land rights and welfare scheme implementation, the party has struggled to counter the BJP’s narrative of “double-engine sarkar” (a government at both the center and state levels) delivering development. The BJP has also been effective in portraying the Congress as a party mired in infighting and incapable of governance, a narrative that resonated with voters in 2023.
Finally, the electoral impact of Pilot’s outreach will depend on how effectively the Congress can translate its engagement with tribal communities into tangible policy outcomes. If the party fails to address the grievances raised during the tour—such as delays in land rights approvals or the poor implementation of welfare schemes—its efforts could be seen as mere political posturing.
What to Watch Next: Key Developments Ahead of 2028
As the Congress ramps up its preparations for the 2028 assembly elections, several developments will be worth monitoring:
1. Congress’ Organizational Restructuring: The party has announced plans to revamp its state unit, with a focus on strengthening its presence in tribal and rural areas. Pilot’s role in this process will be crucial, particularly if he is given a formal position within the party’s Rajasthan leadership. Any signs of internal discord, however, could derail these efforts.
2. BJP’s Counter-Strategy: The BJP is unlikely to cede ground in tribal-dominated regions without a fight. The party is expected to intensify its outreach in these areas, potentially rolling out new welfare schemes or accelerating the implementation of existing ones. The BJP’s ability to retain its tribal support base will be a key factor in the 2028 elections.
3. Policy Responses to Tribal Grievances: The effectiveness of the Congress’ outreach will depend on whether it can deliver on its promises. If the party succeeds in addressing issues such as land rights and welfare scheme implementation, it could regain the trust of tribal voters. Conversely, if these issues remain unresolved, the BJP’s narrative of “delivery over promises” could gain further traction.
4. Electoral Alliances and Third-Front Politics: While the Congress and BJP are the two main contenders in Rajasthan, smaller parties and independent candidates could play a spoiler role in tribal-dominated constituencies. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has a limited presence in the state, and regional outfits such as the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) could emerge as key players. The Congress’ ability to forge alliances or counter these parties’ influence will be important.
5. National Political Dynamics: Rajasthan’s assembly elections are often influenced by national political trends. With the next general elections due in 2029, the Congress’ performance in Rajasthan could be shaped by its fortunes at the national level. If the party performs well in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, it could boost its prospects in the state assembly elections. Conversely, a poor showing nationally could weaken its position in Rajasthan.
Conclusion: A Long Road Ahead for the Congress
Sachin Pilot’s tribal outreach tour in Rajasthan is a clear signal that the Congress is beginning its preparations for the 2028 assembly elections well in advance. The party’s focus on tribal communities—who have been a traditional support base but have drifted toward the BJP in recent years—reflects a strategic attempt to reclaim lost ground. However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges.
The Congress will need to address its internal factionalism, counter the BJP’s welfare narrative, and deliver on its promises to tribal communities if it hopes to mount a serious challenge in 2028. Pilot’s tour is a step in the right direction, but its success will depend on whether the party can translate its outreach into tangible electoral gains. For now, the BJP remains the frontrunner in
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Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source.
