Sachin Pilot ups the ante, gives Ashok Gehlot govt 15 days to act on his demands

Concluding his five-day Ajmer-Jaipur Jan Sangharsh Yatra on Monday with a rally in the capital city’s outskirts, Pilot demanded that the corruption-ridden Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) be dissolved, reconstituted and backed by a new law. He also sought compensation for “lakhs of students” who have suffered economically due to paper leaks, and a high-level inquiry into corruption cases under the earlier Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government.

He said 20-25 lakh youths appear for government examinations in Rajasthan every year, and are affected by paper leaks.

During his event on Monday, Pilot was surrounded by two ministers among his 15 loyalist MLAs, 13 former ministers and MLAs, five Chairpersons of Boards, seven state Congress officials, 10 district Congress presidents, and 17 Lok Sabha/MLA candidates. He said: “I sat on protest (in Jaipur) in a Gandhian way and conducted a Jan Sangharsh Yatra. But if these three demands in the interest of youth and against corruption are not met by the end of the month, toh poore pradesh me main andolan karunga (then I will agitate across the state).”

Reacting to the developments later in the day, Gehlot loyalist and Cabinet Minister, Mahesh Joshi said, “It is very surprising and regrettable that some responsible people are accusing their own government of corruption. Before accusing their own government, they should have thought that they are also accusing themselves.”

“The ones levelling allegations know this very well that whenever corruption has come to the fore, the Chief Minister has given a strong blow to corruption by adopting a policy of zero tolerance. The actions of ACB against the corrupt are indicative of the fact that no matter how big the corrupt person is, the ACB has acted strictly and without hesitation,” he said.

But those with Pilot during the day warned of an agitation if Gehlot didn’t act on the former’s demands. “If our demands are not met in 15 days, toh phir yaachna nahi rann hoga (then there won’t be a request but a fight),” said MLA Mukesh Bhakar.

Cabinet minister Hemaram Choudhary, who was present at Pilot’s rally on Monday, said, “I don’t understand whose government it is in Rajasthan. Our head of government says that it was the former CM Vasundhara Raje who saved our government. So, is it Vasundhara Raje government or a Congress government? It is beyond my understanding.” Levelling allegations of corruption on the government, another minister, Rajendra Gudha said, “Rajasthan government’s alignment has gone wrong. Our government has crossed all limits of corruption. In Karnataka, the charge was 40 per cent (commission) but our government here has gone beyond that.”

Making an emotional appeal, Pilot said he will “keep serving the people and youth of Rajasthan till my last breath … I will keep fighting for you, I promise… I am ready to make any sacrifice, and will do whatever it takes.” While reiterating that his protests aren’t against any person, he attacked Gehlot over his barbs, saying, “mere khilaf gaali dene mein koi kami rakhi kya (Did they hesitate in abusing me)? Abuse me, humiliate me, accuse me … but we are not worried.”

“I want to politely remind them (those who will point to factionalism and party indiscipline on his part) of the betrayal with Sonia Gandhi ji and indiscipline and humiliation of the party on September 25,” Pilot said. Gehlot loyalists had boycotted the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meet when there were talks of Pilot being made the CM. Pilot camp’s comments made from the stage were the sharpest attack on Gehlot since the events of 2020.

Cabinet Minister Choudhary said only those who praise the CM are in his good books. The CM praised BJP rebel MLA Shobharani Kushwah and called her “bold” while “we have only talked about leadership change in Rajasthan. So, is it wrong to demand a change in leadership?” he asked. With Gehlot alleging that rebel MLAs took money from BJP in 2020, Choudhary said, “If I am corrupt, and have taken so much money … then shunt me out of your government today itself.”

MLA Ved Prakash Solanki echoed the growing restlessness in Pilot camp; referring to the people gathered, he said, “I want to ask Pilot sahib only one thing. For how long will you test these workers? The people want to give everything for you, their tann, mann, dhan (body, mind and money). Don’t test people for long.”

“You (Gehlot) talk of Rs 10-15 crore, you tell us when are you making Pilot the CM and we will give you (the money),” he said, adding that he had apprised party state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa about their issues, “but he didn’t do a single thing.”

MLA and former Assembly Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat termed it a “fight” and equated Pilot’s struggle with the struggle of Lord Ram, while also equating the youth with the role of monkeys as per the Hindu scriptures.

MLA Bhakar attempted to put the speculation that Pilot might leave the party, at rest: “There is talk of strengthening Congress but from every stage CM’s target is Sachin Pilot and us. His aim is that Pilot and we all leave the party. Our ancestors have established this party … we will not go anywhere.”