Casually dressed in a pink-t shirt, a departure from the white kurta and pyjama one is used to seeing him in, Sachin Pilot has been busy with the Dholpur assembly by-election in Rajasthan.

The constituency goes to the polls on Sunday, April 9.

It is the home constituency of state Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, so the battle is prestigious as well as a difficult one.

"In Jaipur, Vasundharaji and my path haven't crossed much. I used to meet her more when I was a minister in Delhi. We have a very cordial relationship on a personal level, but as the principal Opposition party my job to keep the government accountable," he says.


Sitting under portraits of Gandhi, Indira, Rajiv, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in his office, Sachin Pilot discusses with Rediff.com's Archana Masih the road ahead for his party and how he will win back Rajasthan next year.

The 1st part of a 2-part interview. Do read