Pilot camp hits back at Gehlot, demands apology, resignation
Says CM is ‘flustered’ by the turn of events
NEWDELHI:FORMER Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Hemaram Choudhary on Monday condemned the “intemperate language” used by Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot against his former deputy Sachin Pilot, saying this shows that he is “flustered” by the turn of events in the state.
Choudhary, who is one of the 18 Congress MLAS supporting Pilot in his fight against Gehlot, is a former minister and a six-time legislator from the Gudamalani constituency in Barmer. He added that Gehlot has “hurt the sentiments” of the people of Rajasthan with his remarks against Pilot, and must apologise for them.
“This is unfortunate. If he doesn’t apologise, the people of Rajasthan will teach him a lesson and never forgive him for this,” he said, indicating the thinking within the Pilot camp.
A prominent Jat leader of Rajasthan, Choudhary, in turn, attacked Gehlot for “history of deceiving” those under whom the party had won the assembly elections. “In the past, we have seen what happened to Parasram Maderna and CP Joshi, and this time Pilot — after the Congress came to power under their leadership. They were overlooked, and Gehlot became the chief minister thrice,” Choudhary said.
Meanwhile, another Pilot loyalist, Vishvendra Singh, who was sacked as a state minister, accused the Rajasthan government of “strangling” democracy.
Assembly speaker CP Joshi has issued disqualification notices to 19 Congress legislators, including Pilot. They have approached the Rajasthan high court against the move.
OMAR SLAMS BAGHEL
SRINAGAR: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Monday threatened legal recourse against Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel for stating that Congress rebel Sachin Pilot’s moves were linked to him.
“I am fed up with the downright malicious and false allegation that what Sachin Pilot is doing is somehow linked to my or my father’s release from detention earlier this year. Enough is enough. Mr @bhupeshbaghel will be hearing from my lawyers,’’ tweeted NC vice president.