Team News Riveting
Jaipur, April 11
The simmering differences within the Rajasthan Congress has once again spilled out in open as party remained a divided house on Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot’s campaign against corruption.
The 45-year-old leader observed a fast here Tuesday demanding action from his own government over cases of alleged corruption reported during the BJP’s term. The Congress was supposed to issue a statement on the issue later in the day, but, after deliberation, it put the matter on hold, sources in the Congress said.
One faction of the party is of the view that there should be strong action against Pilot, while another believes that he is an asset with his huge popularity, especially amongst the youth and the party should utilise that. In the Rajasthan Congress hierarchy, Pilot is considered a bete-noire of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Earlier, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had said that any such protest against the state government would amount to anti-party activity and go against the party’s interest. Pilot however defied the warning and launched his fast.
He also targeted the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan for not taking action against the alleged corruption of the previous BJP government headed by Vasundhara Raje. Later in the evening around 4 pm, Pilot ended his fast and said that his movement against graft will continue.
Sources said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was likely to call Gehlot, Randhawa and Pilot to Delhi for resolving the tussle.
