As the Bharat Jodo Yatra's Rajasthan leg ended Wednesday, the Congress would have heaved a sigh of relief as it passed the state without any face-off between the supporters of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his bete noire Sachin Pilot despite sloganeering on the roads.
The yatra's about 500 km route in Rajasthan was dotted with several Pilot strongholds and the foot march was boosted by massive numbers, several of them being his young supporters who raised slogans such as "Humara CM Kaisa ho, Sachin Pilot Jaisa ho" and "I Love You, I Love You, Sachin Pilot, I Love You".
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Pilot himself walked alongside Rahul Gandhi for most of the distance and on some occasions was also seen gesturing to his supporters raising slogans in his support to not do so.
Gehlot also was a regular feature especially during the morning session of the yatra in the state. In certain places, supporters of Gehlot also raised slogans in his favour and highlighted his "good governance" in the state.
On the 100th day of the yatra, a massive crowd was seen participating in the march as a sea of people thronged the streets of Dausa with many also standing atop their houses and cheering for Gandhi, Gehlot and Pilot.
The yatra had provided a temporary thaw in the long-running Gehlot-Pilot power tussle which most political analysts believe could again flare up in the near future if not addressed by the leadership.
Last week, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal had said "everything will be resolved smoothly" and the party is very much united in the state.
In an interview with PTI, Venugopal had also exuded confidence that the Congress would win the Rajasthan assembly polls next year and return to power.
A major row erupted last month following Gehlot's comments that Pilot is a 'gaddar' (traitor) and cannot replace him. The remarks drew a sharp response from Pilot who had said it was unbecoming of Gehlot's stature to use that kind of language and that such "mud-slinging" would not help at a time the focus should be on the yatra.
The escalation of the Gehlot-Pilot rift just ahead of the entry of yatra into the desert state had put the party in a spot but Venugopal's visit to the state calmed tempers and in a show of unity both Pilot and Gehlot posed for the cameras along with the AICC general secretary.