Pilot steps up pressure on govt over demands
Less than 48 hours after the central leadership of the Congress said everything was settled between Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, the latter on Wednesday asserted that his demand for action against the alleged corruption during the previous Vasundhara Raje regime stands firm, and he will “not make any compromise”.
“A new month will start tomorrow, and I am reiterating…the assurances I have given to the youth, the commitment I have made…my commitment is not hawai (castle in the air),” said Pilot.
He continued Congress party has always been against corruption and in support of the youth. “Getting youth justice and probe on (alleged) corruption during BJP government…I think is mandatory. There will be no compromise on this,” said the former deputy CM, addressing the newspersons in Tonk.
On May 15, Pilot had threatened to launch a state-wide agitation if action on his demands was not taken by the month-end, which ends today.
He demanded a probe into alleged corruption during Vasundhara Raje-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government; reconstituting the Rajasthan Public Service Commission and compensation for those affected
by government job exam paper leak cases. Pilot, who was on a day tour to his assembly constituency in Tonk said Congress and its leadership have several times repeated that corruption will not be accepted at any cost.
“Congress is the only party which has encouraged youth in politics and other areas. Whenever there has been injustice with the youth, the Congress has stood with them. Any compromise with corruption and the future of the youth is not possible,” he said. The former deputy CM’s statement comes hours after Congress national general secretary KC Venugopal stated, “We have decided that both leaders ( Gehlot and Pilot) have agreed to go together. It will be a joint fight against BJP. We will win the state (Rajasthan).”
He made the statement after a five-hour-long meeting where the duo met Rahul Gandhi, president Mallikarjun Kharge and Venugopal. Pilot said two days back had spoken to leadership, and the demands raised are in their cognizance.
“On May 15, during a public meeting, I had demanded action on corruption, which was raised by Gehlot, myself and others ( when were in opposition)… is in the public domain. There should be an effective probe on such issues.”
He continued that many posts are vacant in RPSC – the need is to bring effective change in appointments and functioning.
“I hope today is the last day of the month, and on May 15, I asked the government to take action. I am waiting. The responsibility to take is with the state government. Let us see what happens tomorrow,” he said.
Hitting at BJP, Pilot said their double engine has started getting seized. “We all have seen what happened with BJP in Karnataka. The Congress received a historic mandate, and people voted them out on corruption.”
Meanwhile, cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas has said that the party high-command is powerful.
“The party high command has decided the line of action having thought about the upcoming elections. Congress party high command is powerful”, said Khachriyawas. “I was already saying that if the solution has to be dug out by stepping a few steps ahead, there is no harm. Whatever decision our leadership has taken, is for the party’s good.”