KIN OF SENIOR LEADERS FIND SPACE IN STATE CONG COMMITTEE

The debate over dynastic politics has been revived once again in Rajasthan with the release of the names of the party leaders who have made it to the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC).

Those inducted in the PCC include former chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav Gehlot, state party president Sachin Pilot’s mother and former MP Rama Pilot; former minister Mahipal Maderna’s wife Leela Maderna and daughter Divya maderna; former minister Brajendra Ola along with wife Rajbala Ola, and at least four members from Mirdha clan.

The PCC has released names of 358 out of the possible 400 members. The remaining seats are yet to be fulfilled as organisational polls in Ajmer and Alwar have been put on hold in view of the bypolls to the Lok Sabha seats.

Party chief Sachin Pilot claimed that only those with merit have made it to the list and not because they are related to any particular family. “If more than one person from a family is active (in politics), it cannot be a disqualification. There are no efforts to promote any family,” he said. Party spokesperson and Plilot’s deputy in PCC Archana Sharma said, “Those who have been elected to the PCC are active in politics and contributing towards strengthening the party.”

A former minister from the party, however, said dynasty politics cannot be ruled out in any political party. The PCC list has more than 50 names who are either family members or relatives of a senior leader. “Not a new trend,” he said requesting not to be named.

JAIPUR: PARTY CHIEF SACHIN PILOT CLAIMED THAT ONLY THOSE WITH MERIT HAVE MADE IT TO THE LIST AND NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE RELATED TO ANY PARTICULAR FAMILY