Rajasthan Cabinet Reshuffle: 'No Factions In Party, Fighting Against BJP Together', Says Sachin Pilot

Sachin Pilot said that the entire party is united right now and is bracing up for elections in the state which will be held after two years.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot addresses press conference on Sunday (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Hours ahead of the swearing-in of new cabinet ministers in Rajasthan, Congress leader Sachin Pilot addressed a press conference and said that he is glad that their concerns have been addressed and the party has taken positive steps for better governance in the state.

15 ministers will take the oath to join the Ashok Gehlot cabinet today and 5 ministers from Sachin Pilot's camp have also been inducted. The former deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said, " New ministers will be sworn in today. The step taken by the party & leadership after discussions is sending a positive message across the state. We had raised this issue time & again. I'm happy that party, high command & state Govt took a cognizance of it."

Sachin Pilot further said that the entire party is united right now and is bracing up for elections in the state which will be held after two years. Clarifying about the differences between him and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Pilot said that they are together in the fight against a common enemy BJP and the Congress party is focused on that.

"We are talking about principles here... everybody's opinion matters. I am glad that concerns have been addressed. Change is constant. But this move (the huge revamp) will help galvanize people. We will win the 2023 elections," he told reporters. 

On being asked about his loyalists being sworn as ministers, he said, "You guys (media) keep portraying it as a fight between two groups. We are all working together under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Party workers are working together against a common enemy BJP. There are no factions in party. The decisions (of cabinet reshuffle) have been taken together"

Focusing on the inclusion of 4 Dalit ministers in the Gehlot cabinet, Pilot said, "4 Dalit Ministers included in the new cabinet. It's a message that AICC, State Govt & party wants representation for Dalits, backward & poor. For a long time, there was no Dalit representation in our govt, it's now been made up for and they've been included in good numbers."

Pilot said that the representation of tribals has also been included and it was a necessary step that has been taken forward by Congress and the state government. 

Among the new ministers to take oath as cabinet ministers are Hemaram Chaudhary, Mahendrajit Singh Malviya, Ramlal Jat, Mahesh Joshi, Vishvendra Singh, Ramesh Meena, Mamta Bhupesh Bhairwa, Bhajanlal Jatav, Tikaram Juli, Govind Ram Meghwal, and Shakuntala Rawat.

Those who will take oath as the new ministers of state today. are Zahida, Brijendra Singh Ola, Rajendra Durha, and Muralilal Meena.

Among those from the Sachin Pilot camp who have been included in the ministry are Vishvendra Singh, Ramesh Meena, and Hemaram Chaudhary as cabinet ministers, besides Brijendra Ola and Murari Meena as ministers of state.

Two of them -- Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena -- were sacked as cabinet ministers during a political crisis in the state last year.

The three SC ministers who have been elevated to the cabinet rank are Bhajanlal Jatav, Mamta Bhupesh Bhairwa, and Tikaram Juli.

Another SC member, former MP Govind Ram Meghwal, is a fresh face to be included in the refurbished cabinet.