The Congress party on Monday evening expressed strong opposition to the proposed dharna by former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, saying any such protest against its sitting government would be considered "anti-party activity". Pilot claimed on Sunday that the Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan failed to investigate cases of alleged corruption during the BJP's rule, and announced plans for a day-long fast on Tuesday (April 11) to press for action.
The Congress general secretary in charge for Rajasthan, Sukhjinder Randhawa, issued a statement saying that Sachin Pilot's day-long fast tomorrow is against the party's interests and is anti-party activity. If Pilot has a problem with his own government, he can discuss it in party forums rather than in the media or in public.
"I have been an AICC in charge for the last 5 months and Pilot-ji has never discussed this issue with me. I am in touch with him and I still appeal for calm dialogue since he is an indisputable asset to the Congress party," the statement said.
Randhawa told PTI that despite several talks and discussions, the two letters Pilot was referring to for action against graft by the previous Vasundhara Raje government were never brought before him.
Rajasthan deputy chief minister will continue his day-long fast on Tuesday to press his demand for action against corruption during the previous BJP regime in Rajasthan, and that his fight is against graft under the Raje regime and not against anyone else, PTI reported citing sources close to Pilot.
Pilot has stated that he will fast at Jaipur's Shaheed Smarak on April 11 - the birthday of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a member of Gehlot's Saini community.
Pilot stated that he would sit on a "maun vrat" and refrain from speaking out against the government, PTI reported. While Rahul Gandhi is fighting Adani over alleged corruption, Pilot is taking up the issue to hold the Raje regime accountable, the sources said, according to the report.
The Congress has been vocal in its opposition to corruption in the country, whether in the Adani case or by the Karnataka government. Why should people take us seriously if no action is taken against those responsible for graft under the Raje government, a source close to Pilot asked.