Pilot in Delhi to meet Priyanka as dissent grows in Congress
Loyalists press for cabinet expansion and political appointments; former deputy CM rubbishes Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s claim that he will join BJP
The rumblings in the Rajasthan Congress unit continued on Friday as the MLAS close to former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot demanded cabinet expansion and political appointments, questioning the delay by the AICC committee set up last year to resolve the issues raised by Pilot.
People familiar with the developments claim that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is working to resolve the issues and fulfil the promises made to Pilot, who left for Delhi on Friday after participating in a protest against fuel price hike and inflation. Pilot is likely to meet Priyanka on Sunday.
“He (Pilot) is in touch with Priyanka; she has assured him to resolve the issues, and asked him to maintain patience,” an MLA loyal to Pilot said, wishing not to be named.
When asked if Pilot told him to withdraw his resignation, Choudhary said, “I didn’t resign after discussing with Pilot. I resigned listening to my conscience. People can appeal to me but it is I who has to take a decision.”
On AICC general secretary Bhanwar Jitendra Singh statement that the promises made to Pilot should be fulfilled, the MLA said, “They should be fulfilled. All are saying but it is not happening.”
Another MLA from Pilot faction, PR Meena, told newspersons, “The cabinet expansion and political appointments should be done.”
On Thursday, MLAS such as Ved Pakash Solanki, Mukesh Bhakar, Vishwendra Singh, Rakesh Pareek, Suresh Modi and Ramniwas Gawriya met Pilot at his residence after Bhanwar Jitendra Singh came out in support of the former deputy CM.
Meanwhile, Pilot on Friday refuted claims made by BJP leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi that she had spoken to him about joining the BJP.
“Rita Bahuguna Joshi claimed that she had spoken to Sachin. She might have spoken to Sachin Tendulkar. She does not have the courage to speak to me,” Pilot told reporters during a protest organised by the Congress against inflation.
Joshi told a TV channel that she had spoken to Pilot about joining the BJP.
Rita Bahuguna Joshi claimed that she had spoken to Sachin. She might have spoken to Sachin Tendulkar...