Congress leader and former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot ended his day-long fast at Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak today calling for an action by the Gehlot government against graft by the previous Vasundhara Raje-led government in the state. Speaking to reporters, Pilot said, “The allegations of corruption are not new, they are already in the public domain.” He said he “wrote twice” demanding action but there was no response. “So action should be taken so that people don't think that there is a difference b/w what we promise and what we do,” he said.
“Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa became in charge a few days ago. I had also talked to the earlier in-charge but this corruption issue is still there. We should speak against corruption and our fight against corruption will continue,” he added.
Randhawa, who termed the fast as going against party’s interest, however said that the two letters Pilot was referring to for action against graft were never raised before him despite several talks and discussions.
While Randhawa claimed that Pilot never raised the issue with him, a PTI report citing sources close to Pilot said that the former Deputy CM spoke over the phone but the AICC in-charge of the state had not asked Pilot to call off the fast.
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CM Ashok Gehlot Releases Video
While Pilot was on fast against his own party-led government, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot released a video talking about his vision to take Rajasthan to top by 2030.
"I have decided that I have to make Rajasthan the top state by 2030. To realise this dream, the last four budgets and this year's 'Bachat, Rahat and Badhat' budget, I have made schemes no other state has," the chief minister said in the video.
In the video, he said the state was not able to progress due to the rising inflation and the schemes of the state government are aimed at providing relief to the people.
"The first step towards the mission was this year's 'Bachat, Rahat and Badhat' Budget. Today, I am taking the next step. From April 24, thousands of inflation relief camps will be organised in the entire state so that people get the benefits of the state government schemes," Gehlot said.
Rift In Rajasthan Congress
The rift between Gehlot and Pilot once again came to the fore ahead of the assembly elections in the state scheduled later this year. Pilot’s Sunday announcement to go on a fast against the Gehlot government came after the CM had denied having any differences with Pilot and saying that both the leaders will contest the polls together.
Gehlot said there were "small differences" among leaders in every party and in every state, but he will contest the upcoming elections with Sachin Pilot.