Not that long ago, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot were comrades-in-arms as youthful governors in the Congress party. But in the forthcoming by-elections for 28 seats in Madhya Pradesh assembly, they are put to square off on the crusade highway.

Although the bypoll dates have not been published yet, the INC has sounded out to Pilot that he will have to crusade in the Gwalior-Chambal belt. This is a region of Scindia’s significance, where 16 of the 28 seats up for grabs are positioned.

Congress sources told the Print that there are at least six to seven seats with a significant Gurjar public, where Pilot could whirl votes as he hails from the community,. They said that Pilot has already been provided permission to crusade in the ‘by polls’ as and when they are declared.

MP Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta said in appreciation of Pilot that he is among the wizard campaigners of the party and has regions of impact. Gupta further added that Sachin has campaigned earlier also, like his father Rajesh Pilot.

Another INC leader under the condition of anonymity claimed that the former CM Kamal Nath fiddled a position in beating back political disaster in Rajasthan, and recouped Pilot from buying the axe. The leader added that given Nath’s seniority, Pilot will have no choice but to crusade irrespective of whether he is inclined or not.

Scindia and Pilot have taken related paths to political achievement, as a matter of birthright, as scions of their fathers, Madhavrao Scindia and Rajesh Pilot respectively. Like their fathers, Scindia and Pilot juniors have been ministers in the central government and were seen as the next era of Congress supervision alongside Rahul Gandhi.

When in March, Scindia revolted against the Congress and enlisted in BJP, the MLA’s who supported him followed the suit. It overthrew the Kamal Nath-led INC government in the procedure.  Pilot was one of the rare vocalists to provide a calming remark.

Three more Congress legislators also resigned in the last few months and joined into BJP. The poll fight between Pilot Jr. and Scindia Jr. will be worth observing in the upcoming MP by polls.