Pilot factor shows in Gehlot cabinet

Pilot factor was visible in Gehlot cabinet as first timers were given weightage over veterans during the induction of 23 ministers in the cabinet following intense consultation with Congress President Rahul Gandhi. They took oath on Monday a week after Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot took charge after Congress returns to power in Rajasthan. However, allocation of portfolios is likely to be done after consultation with Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Out of 23, 13 have been inducted as cabinet ministers while 10 were given the rank of ministers of state. This also includes Dr Subhash Garg, the lone MLA of Bharatpur from RLD, a pre poll ally, which helped Congress attain majority after the grand old party got stuck at 99 in 199 seat assembly. Among these 23 ministers, 18 ministers are first timers while only 5 ministers — B D Kalla, Shanti Dhariwal, Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal, Parsadi Lal Meena and Pramod Jain Bhaya — have prior ministerial experience.

EYE ON LOK SABHA ELECTIONS
The newly formed cabinet seems to have the right social engineering vital for winning maximum seats in Lok Sabha elections. The cabinet has 4 each from Jat and Scheduled Caste community, 2 each from Brahmin and Rajput, 3 each from tribals bania communities while 4 from OBC and one from Muslim communities. "Scheduled caste comprise the maximum population in Rajasthan followed by Jats. Congress has given strong representation to both the communities besides keeping Rajputs, OBCs and upper castes also in loop. However, out of 33 districts, 14 districts went unrepresented which may cost party in Lok Sabha elections," said a senior Congress leader.

BIG GUNS LEFT OUT

The most striking feature of this cabinet was keeping big guns out including former union minister C P Joshi. Former ministers and experienced hands like Hemaram Chaudhary, Bharat Singh, Deependra Singh Shekhawat, Parasram Mordia, Rajendra Pareek, Dr Jitendra Singh, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, Brijendra Ola and Rajkumar Sharma were left out.