Pilot's ‘Jadugiri’ Barb At Gehlot Govt Amid Claims That No Official Was Complicit In Rajasthan Paper Leaks

Congress leader Sachin Pilot called for accountability to be fixed over incidents of paper leaks in Rajasthan amid claims that no politician or official is complicit in the cases.

(File Photo) Sachin Pilot, who has been targeting the Gehlot government over the paper leak incidents, had demanded that the "big sharks" involved in the leaks be arrested.

New Delhi: Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday attacked the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan on exam paper leaks demanding that accountability be fixed. The former Rajasthan Congress president also targeted the Gehlot government over political appointments of retired bureaucrats Addressing a kisan sammelan in Jhunjhunu, he said that when incidents of paper leaks are happening one after the other, accountability will have to be fixed.

"It is being said now that no official or leader was involved. Exam papers are locked in a safe and they were leaked... is it magic? How did it happen? This is not possible, some people are responsible for this," the former deputy chief minister said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

"I welcome the investigation and action against the accused but accountability will have to be fixed," he added.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: It's unfortunate when exam paper is leaked repeatedly. I welcome action taken against perpetrators. It's being said no leader or official was involved in it but paper is kept in locker despite that it reached students...this is 'Jaadugiri': Sachin Pilot(18.01) pic.twitter.com/XW9muGmySd

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) January 19, 2023

Speaking about political appointments of retired bureaucrats, he remarked: "Party workers have toiled to bring the Congress to power in the state and they should get honour and respect." "In the last four years, several political appointments were made. The officers work for the party in power be it the BJP or Congress. If we have to appoint them (bureaucrats), the proportion should be such that the workers don't feel sidelined," he added.

"It does not matter whether the worker is my supporter or not... the worker can be anyone's supporter, but if the worker of the Congress party is given an appointment, we all will welcome it,” Sachin Pilot emphasised.

Several retired bureaucrats, including former chief secretaries DB Gupta, Niranjan Arya, and former DGP M L Lather, have been appointed to various posts in the state.

Sachin Pilot, who has been targeting the Gehlot government over the paper leak incidents, had demanded that the "big sharks" involved in the leaks be arrested.

The remarks once again highlight the rift within the Congress in Rajasthan, where CM Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy are locked in a power tussle. The Congress papered over the differences when Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra passed through the state, but the truce appears to have been temporary.

As per PTI, Rajasthan SC Commission Chairman Khiladi Bairwa and minister Rajendra Gudha said that people of the state, especially the youth, want Sachin Pilot to be made the CM.

"Everyone is asking when will Pilot become the chief minister. People are waiting," Gudha, who is a minister of state for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, said.

People ask me when will Pilot be made the CM and I tell them the party high command will take the decision at an appropriate time, Bairwa said, as per PTI.

Rajasthan Only State To Introduce Bill With Strict Provisions Against Cheating, Paper Leak: Ashok Gehlot

Meanwhile, Ashok Gehlot responded to Sachin Pilot saying that action was taken against the main accused.

Gehlot had also refuted BJP leader Kirodi Meena and RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal's allegation that officials and leaders were involved in the paper leaks. "Rajasthan is the only state where a bill with strict provisions against cheating, paper leak was introduced. The officials accused in the paper leak case suspended, those found guilty their properties demolished and some permanently barred from sitting for exams," the Chief Minister said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

During his address to scores of farmers and youths, Pilot also reiterated the demand for the Union government to make a legal framework to guarantee MSP. He passed a resolution in the meeting for the same.

He called upon the party workers to spread the message of MP Rahul Gandhi to every household. He said that 'Hath Se Hath Jodo' campaign is going to start on January 26 and Rahul Gandhi's message should resonate from every booth in the state.

He expressed confidence in the party's ability to retain power in the assembly elections after ten months saying that the grand old party will make history in Rajasthan because power alternates between Congress and BJP after every five years.