Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday raised a fresh banner of revolt after he announced a day-long fast against the Ashok Gehlot government for “failing” to investigate the alleged corruption during the BJP rule in the state. Hours after his announcement, the party leadership issued a statement, saying under Chief Minister Gehlot, Rajasthan had achieved a leadership position in governance.
"The Congress Government in Rajasthan with Ashok Gehlot as CM has implemented a large number of schemes and taken many new initiatives that have impacted the people profoundly. This has given the state a leadership position in governance in our country,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in the statement.
Ramesh said the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan was an outstanding success made possible by the dedication and determination of the party organisation in the state.
"Later in the year, the Congress will seek a renewed mandate from the people on the strength of these landmark achievements and the collective efforts of our organisation," he further said.
Meanwhile, AICC Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa told the Indian Express that the timing of Pilot’s press conference was not appropriate. Randhawa said he would travel to Jaipur on Monday or Tuesday and will discuss with Gehlot the issues raised by Pilot.
“See the party is preoccupied with (agitating over) Rahul ji’s disqualification. We are holding press conferences every day, mobilising workers … In my view, it was not the right time … Firstly, he has not spoken to me about this issue. But there are big leaders. He could have spoken to them,” he told Express.
Earlier in the day, Pilot, the former deputy chief minister, announced a day-long fast on Tuesday against the state government for allegedly ignoring the demands he had raised.
"No action was taken (by the Gehlot government) on the corruption by the previous Vasundhara Raje government. While in the Opposition, we promised an inquiry into the mines scam of Rs 45,000 crore," Pilot said.
His fresh move amid the factional fighting is seen as an attempt to pressure the high command to resolve the leadership issue ahead of the year-end polls.
Gehlot and Pilot have been at loggerheads over the post of the chief minister ever since the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in December 2018.
Pilot's demand to order a probe into the alleged mining scam during the previous BJP government and other corruption allegations was supported by state cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas.
Khachariyawas was the Jaipur Congress president when Pilot was the PCC chief and used to be at the forefront with him in raising the corruption issue. He was in the Pilot camp but during Pilot's revolt against Gehlot in 2020, Khachariyawas switched to the Gehlot camp.
However, another Congress leader told PTI that Pilot's announcement was also a kind of revolt against Gehlot and this would certainly harm the party.
"At a time when the Congress government is leaving no stone unturned to retain power in the upcoming elections, Pilot's announcement to sit on 'Anshan' will definitely send a wrong message among the masses. This should be avoided," the Congress leader said.
With PTI inputs
