NPP MLA who didn’t join BJP attacks ruling party, says will go to people

JAIPUR: National People’s Party (NPP) MLA Navin Pilania came down on the Rajasthan government on Monday for its “antifarmer polices”, saying he had rejected a minister’s proposal by to join the BJP with his party leader Kirori Lal Meena. “I will tour my constituency and visit every panchayat to take people’s feedback before deciding on whether to join the Congress or fight elections on my own,” the MLA from Amber said at a press conference here.

On Sunday, former NPP president Meena, his wife and MLA Golma Devi and another MLA Geeta Verma joined the BJP, but Pilania did not attended the event. Pilania said Meena “is and will remain his leader” and that he was happy that the BJP is sending him to the Rajya Sabha, but his conscience does not permit him to join a party that has been apathetic to rural distress.

“On Saturday at 11 am, BJP minister Rampratap called me to his residence where Meena ji and some BJP leaders were present. There, Meena ji told me about his decision to join the BJP and asked me to join,” he said. “Rampratap assured me that I would be given ticket (for assembly elections) from Amber and said that the decision has the approval of the chief minister. However, I refused saying that while I was happy for Meena ji, I could not join the BJP.” Pilania said the BJP has committed a fraud on farmers by waiving off shortterm loans of only 16% of them.