Jobs and agri crisis will be our priority: Pilot
State Congress president Sachin Pilot on Monday said the crisis in the agriculture sector and unemployment will be the Congress’ priority if voted to power.
Rajasthan is expected to go to the polls in November-December this year.
“Rajasthan is an agrarian state and at present in distress because of farm debts. Another issue is unemployment, which is on a historical level. We will make such a system where industries can absorb youth. Unfortunately, in the last four-and-a-half years the government had no focus on it and no concrete policy was framed,” said Pilot.
In an initiative to connect with the masses, Pilot on Monday went live on Twitter and replied to questions raised by people under #AskSachinPilot.
When asked about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s promise of providing 15 lakh jobs, he said, “It is a false claim. Under skill development only 1.5 lakh youth were imparted training than how did the figure of 15 lakh be achieved?” he asked.
Reacting to Pilot’s allegation that BJP had not given 15 lakh jobs, BJP spokesperson Satish Poonia blamed the Congress for the large scale unemployment. “Congress ruled the state for several decades but they made youth dependent on government jobs. The BJP government has tried to make youth self-dependent by providing them skills so that they can start own businesses or get absorbed in the private sector.” He said the BJP government has provided 1.65 lakh jobs in the government sector and given skill training to 10 lakh youth.
A twitterati also questioned Pilot over his bonding with former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and former Union minister CP Joshi, he replied, “We are a team. If we had not been united then how could the Congress win in the bypolls. I am blessed with the kind of support given.”
He added that BJP chief Amit Shah wanted to appoint a new state chief but chief minister Vasundhara Raje was not in favour because of which for 74 days the post was vacant.
On the issue of a chief ministerial face for the Congress, he said let the party win elections and then the MLAs will choose, this is how it’s done in the Congress.
About their chances of winning in the upcoming assembly elections, Pilot said, “If the Congress wins in different states, it can create a positive narration at the national level. Three states will face elections this year — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, all governed by the BJP. Today, the atmospheres in these states are in favour of the Congress.”
JAIPUR: