News Analysis India

Tag: rajasthan politics

  • Rajasthan CM Gehlot’s sacking of cabinet minister sparks a political row in poll-bound state

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: The dismissal of Rajasthan cabinet minister Rajendra Singh Gudha by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has ignited a huge controversy over the issue of women’s safety in the state.

    Gudha was dismissed on Friday after he questioned his own government’s performance in reining in crimes against women, even as his peers slammed the Manipur violence.

    Following his dismissal, CM Gehlot held a press conference in Jaipur on Saturday but refrained from clarifying the reasons behind the minister’s removal.

    However, he staunchly defended his government’s record on law and order, particularly addressing the allegations of crimes against women. Gehlot said that comparing the situation in Rajasthan with that of Manipur, as alleged, is “unjustifiable.”

    When asked about the continuous criticism and protests against the government by Rajendra Gudha, who had been vocal about various issues, including law and order, CM Gehlot responded that this matter pertains to the party’s internal affairs and will be addressed after discussions within the party.

    It appears that the former minister had been challenging CM Gehlot’s government for several months, making provocative statements. However, his recent remarks during the assembly session seem to have triggered his dismissal from the government.

    Rajendra Gudha is among the six former BSP MLAs who switched to Congress in 2020. Though he was earlier in the Gehlot group, in the past year or so he had moved into the Sachin Pilot camp.

    Given his provocative remarks in the last few months, many believe that his recent actions indicate a desire to leave Congress before the upcoming elections. Notably, Rajendra Gudha’s repeated statements had been causing discomfort for the Ashok Gehlot government.

    However, experts also opine that Gudha himself may have orchestrated this situation to distance himself from the Gehlot government.

    Having contested three elections so far, Rajendra Gudha won two on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket. Despite his victories, he joined the Congress along with other BSP MLAs on both occasions and held ministerial positions.

    Considering the caste and political dynamics of Gudha’s assembly seat, Udaipurwati, the former minister and his supporters are said to believe that it might be more suitable for him to contest elections with a third force rather than representing the Congress or BJP. His recent opposition to the Gehlot government just ahead of the elections indicates this possibility.

    Given that Gudha left the BSP after winning elections twice on their ticket, it might be challenging for the party to trust him for a third time.

    Consequently, he also held a meeting with AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and there are speculations that he might contest the upcoming election from Owaisi’s party. Alternatively, he could consider running as an independent candidate. However, his immediate aim is to be expelled from the Congress.

    All eyes are now focused on what Gudha’s next course of action will be. It is likely that when Gudha addresses the Assembly on Monday, he will say something that leads to his expulsion from the party.

    JAIPUR: The dismissal of Rajasthan cabinet minister Rajendra Singh Gudha by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has ignited a huge controversy over the issue of women’s safety in the state.

    Gudha was dismissed on Friday after he questioned his own government’s performance in reining in crimes against women, even as his peers slammed the Manipur violence.

    Following his dismissal, CM Gehlot held a press conference in Jaipur on Saturday but refrained from clarifying the reasons behind the minister’s removal.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    However, he staunchly defended his government’s record on law and order, particularly addressing the allegations of crimes against women. Gehlot said that comparing the situation in Rajasthan with that of Manipur, as alleged, is “unjustifiable.”

    When asked about the continuous criticism and protests against the government by Rajendra Gudha, who had been vocal about various issues, including law and order, CM Gehlot responded that this matter pertains to the party’s internal affairs and will be addressed after discussions within the party.

    It appears that the former minister had been challenging CM Gehlot’s government for several months, making provocative statements. However, his recent remarks during the assembly session seem to have triggered his dismissal from the government.

    Rajendra Gudha is among the six former BSP MLAs who switched to Congress in 2020. Though he was earlier in the Gehlot group, in the past year or so he had moved into the Sachin Pilot camp.

    Given his provocative remarks in the last few months, many believe that his recent actions indicate a desire to leave Congress before the upcoming elections. Notably, Rajendra Gudha’s repeated statements had been causing discomfort for the Ashok Gehlot government.

    However, experts also opine that Gudha himself may have orchestrated this situation to distance himself from the Gehlot government.

    Having contested three elections so far, Rajendra Gudha won two on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket. Despite his victories, he joined the Congress along with other BSP MLAs on both occasions and held ministerial positions.

    Considering the caste and political dynamics of Gudha’s assembly seat, Udaipurwati, the former minister and his supporters are said to believe that it might be more suitable for him to contest elections with a third force rather than representing the Congress or BJP. His recent opposition to the Gehlot government just ahead of the elections indicates this possibility.

    Given that Gudha left the BSP after winning elections twice on their ticket, it might be challenging for the party to trust him for a third time.

    Consequently, he also held a meeting with AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and there are speculations that he might contest the upcoming election from Owaisi’s party. Alternatively, he could consider running as an independent candidate. However, his immediate aim is to be expelled from the Congress.

    All eyes are now focused on what Gudha’s next course of action will be. It is likely that when Gudha addresses the Assembly on Monday, he will say something that leads to his expulsion from the party.

  • Congress rejects reports of Sachin Pilot floating new party in lead up to Rajasthan polls

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Congress general secretary in-charge of Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of dissident leader Sachin Pilot floating a new party.

    Randhawa, who reached Jaipur in the evening, also said that the party will assign responsibilities to Rajasthan leaders according to their stature.

    “I am hearing this from you, I think there is no such thing. He (Pilot) did not have this in his mind before and does not have it now,” he told reporters when asked about speculations of the formation of a new party by Pilot.

    Randhawa also said it is the media which is raising the issue. He reiterated that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had recently talked to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Delhi in which both the Rajasthan leaders “agreed to work unitedly.”

    “Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi listened to both of them carefully and both were told that they are the assets of the Congress…Both said that they will work together,” he said.

    Randhawa said that 90 per cent of the matter was resolved and the rest was also not an issue.

    When asked about the “formula” to broker peace between Gehlot and Pilot, Randhawa said he will not share it with the media.  However, he said that both Gehlot and Pilot know about the formula.

    On the party’s plan to give responsibility to Pilot, Randhawa said, “We will definitely do it for everyone and will decide the responsibility of leaders according to their stature.”

    Gehlot and his former deputy Pilot have been engaged in a power tussle since the Congress formed government in Rajasthan in 2018 and the party is seeking to broker peace between the two ahead of the assembly elections in the state, slated for later this year.

    There is intense speculation that Pilot may give a clear indication on his way forward on June 11 when he marks his father’s death anniversary in Dausa.

    JAIPUR: Congress general secretary in-charge of Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of dissident leader Sachin Pilot floating a new party.

    Randhawa, who reached Jaipur in the evening, also said that the party will assign responsibilities to Rajasthan leaders according to their stature.

    “I am hearing this from you, I think there is no such thing. He (Pilot) did not have this in his mind before and does not have it now,” he told reporters when asked about speculations of the formation of a new party by Pilot.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Randhawa also said it is the media which is raising the issue. He reiterated that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had recently talked to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Delhi in which both the Rajasthan leaders “agreed to work unitedly.”

    “Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi listened to both of them carefully and both were told that they are the assets of the Congress…Both said that they will work together,” he said.

    Randhawa said that 90 per cent of the matter was resolved and the rest was also not an issue.

    When asked about the “formula” to broker peace between Gehlot and Pilot, Randhawa said he will not share it with the media.  However, he said that both Gehlot and Pilot know about the formula.

    On the party’s plan to give responsibility to Pilot, Randhawa said, “We will definitely do it for everyone and will decide the responsibility of leaders according to their stature.”

    Gehlot and his former deputy Pilot have been engaged in a power tussle since the Congress formed government in Rajasthan in 2018 and the party is seeking to broker peace between the two ahead of the assembly elections in the state, slated for later this year.

    There is intense speculation that Pilot may give a clear indication on his way forward on June 11 when he marks his father’s death anniversary in Dausa.

  • Congress projects unity in Rajasthan, says Gehlot, Pilot will fight assembly poll together

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Amid a festering leadership tussle in the Congress’ Rajasthan unit, the party Monday said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot have agreed to fight the upcoming assembly elections unitedly and have left all issues to be resolved by the party high command.

    Top Congress leadership led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi held marathon discussions with Gehlot and Pilot joined them later in the evening.

    The Congress’ in-charge of state affairs Sukhjinder Randhawa was also present at the meeting.

    The party sought to project that all was fine in its Rajasthan unit with sources claiming that the party has worked out a formula for both the state leaders to work together and fight the assembly elections unitedly.

    Addressing reporters after the meeting at Kharge’s 10, Rajaji Marg, residence, party general secretary K C Venugopal said both the leaders held lengthy discussions with Kharge and Gandhi about the upcoming Rajasthan election.

    “We have decided to fight the election unitedly. Both are in agreement that the Congress party has to work together and definitely we will win the election in Rajasthan,” he said, flanked by Gehlot and Pilot.

    “It is very clear that Rajasthan is going to be a strong state for the Congress party. We are going to win. Therefore, both Gehlot ji and Sachin ji have decided to go together. The Congress party will fight elections unitedly,” Venugopal said.

    “Both the leaders Ashok ji and Sachin ji agreed to the proposal on these things,” he also said.

    Asked what proposal he was talking out, Venugopal said, “Both have left it to the (party) high command. The high command will take the decision and both have agreed.”

    On what formula has been decided, he said, “We decided that both the leaders have agreed to go together and it will be a joint fight against the BJP. We will win the state.”

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh later tweeted, “The Congress party is well on its way to repeating its Karnataka success in Rajasthan as well.”

    Later in a tweet, Venugopal said, “Our team in Rajasthan will unitedly fight the 2023 elections and break the decades-long tradition of alternating governments by registering a thumping victory!”

    Pilot has been attacking the Gehlot government over the issue of inaction on alleged corruption during the previous BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje and has been vocal against his own party’s chief minister. This was the first time after a long gap that the Rajasthan chief minister and his former deputy met face-to-face in the presence of top party leadership.

    Kharge and Gandhi are holding parleys with leaders of poll-bound states to evolve the party’s strategy for the assembly elections and corner the BJP.

    The party leadership is also working hard to resolve the infighting in the Rajasthan unit ahead of assembly polls and set at rest the differences between the two leaders.

    The Congress top brass held discussions with top party leaders from Madhya Pradesh in the morning, after which Gandhi said the party would win 150 seats in the state.

    The meeting comes close on the heels of Pilot’s “ultimatum” that if three demands he made from the state government were not met by the end of this month, he would launch a state-wide agitation.

    One of Pilot’s demands was initiating a high-level inquiry into the alleged scams during the Vasundhara Raje government.

    Speaking to reporters earlier, Gehlot said there is no such tradition in the party to offer posts to any leader in order to pacify him.

    “As far as I know, there is no such tradition in the Congress where any leader demands something and the party high command offers to give that position. We have not heard of such a formula ever,” he said when asked about reports of a formula being worked out to rope in Pilot.

    Rubbishing such reports, he said, “Never has such a thing happened in the Congress so far and neither will it happen in the future. The Congress party and the high command are very strong and no leader or worker has the courage to demand any position. It does not happen like that.”

    Gehlot and Pilot have been engaged in a power tussle since the Congress formed government in the state in 2018.

    In 2020, Pilot led a failed revolt against the Gehlot government after which he was removed from the posts of the party’s state unit president and deputy chief minister.

    Pilot had last month defied a warning from the party and went ahead with a day-long fast targeting Gehlot over his “inaction” on alleged corruption during the previous Raje government.

    NEW DELHI: Amid a festering leadership tussle in the Congress’ Rajasthan unit, the party Monday said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot have agreed to fight the upcoming assembly elections unitedly and have left all issues to be resolved by the party high command.

    Top Congress leadership led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi held marathon discussions with Gehlot and Pilot joined them later in the evening.

    The Congress’ in-charge of state affairs Sukhjinder Randhawa was also present at the meeting.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The party sought to project that all was fine in its Rajasthan unit with sources claiming that the party has worked out a formula for both the state leaders to work together and fight the assembly elections unitedly.

    Addressing reporters after the meeting at Kharge’s 10, Rajaji Marg, residence, party general secretary K C Venugopal said both the leaders held lengthy discussions with Kharge and Gandhi about the upcoming Rajasthan election.

    “We have decided to fight the election unitedly. Both are in agreement that the Congress party has to work together and definitely we will win the election in Rajasthan,” he said, flanked by Gehlot and Pilot.

    “It is very clear that Rajasthan is going to be a strong state for the Congress party. We are going to win. Therefore, both Gehlot ji and Sachin ji have decided to go together. The Congress party will fight elections unitedly,” Venugopal said.

    “Both the leaders Ashok ji and Sachin ji agreed to the proposal on these things,” he also said.

    Asked what proposal he was talking out, Venugopal said, “Both have left it to the (party) high command. The high command will take the decision and both have agreed.”

    On what formula has been decided, he said, “We decided that both the leaders have agreed to go together and it will be a joint fight against the BJP. We will win the state.”

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh later tweeted, “The Congress party is well on its way to repeating its Karnataka success in Rajasthan as well.”

    Later in a tweet, Venugopal said, “Our team in Rajasthan will unitedly fight the 2023 elections and break the decades-long tradition of alternating governments by registering a thumping victory!”

    Pilot has been attacking the Gehlot government over the issue of inaction on alleged corruption during the previous BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje and has been vocal against his own party’s chief minister. This was the first time after a long gap that the Rajasthan chief minister and his former deputy met face-to-face in the presence of top party leadership.

    Kharge and Gandhi are holding parleys with leaders of poll-bound states to evolve the party’s strategy for the assembly elections and corner the BJP.

    The party leadership is also working hard to resolve the infighting in the Rajasthan unit ahead of assembly polls and set at rest the differences between the two leaders.

    The Congress top brass held discussions with top party leaders from Madhya Pradesh in the morning, after which Gandhi said the party would win 150 seats in the state.

    The meeting comes close on the heels of Pilot’s “ultimatum” that if three demands he made from the state government were not met by the end of this month, he would launch a state-wide agitation.

    One of Pilot’s demands was initiating a high-level inquiry into the alleged scams during the Vasundhara Raje government.

    Speaking to reporters earlier, Gehlot said there is no such tradition in the party to offer posts to any leader in order to pacify him.

    “As far as I know, there is no such tradition in the Congress where any leader demands something and the party high command offers to give that position. We have not heard of such a formula ever,” he said when asked about reports of a formula being worked out to rope in Pilot.

    Rubbishing such reports, he said, “Never has such a thing happened in the Congress so far and neither will it happen in the future. The Congress party and the high command are very strong and no leader or worker has the courage to demand any position. It does not happen like that.”

    Gehlot and Pilot have been engaged in a power tussle since the Congress formed government in the state in 2018.

    In 2020, Pilot led a failed revolt against the Gehlot government after which he was removed from the posts of the party’s state unit president and deputy chief minister.

    Pilot had last month defied a warning from the party and went ahead with a day-long fast targeting Gehlot over his “inaction” on alleged corruption during the previous Raje government.

  • Sachin Pilot compares Rajasthan with Karnataka, asks Gehlot govt to fulfil promise on ‘corruption’

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Dissident Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday cited his party’s victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls to push for action by the Ashok Gehlot government over alleged corruption during the previous BJP rule in Rajasthan.

    As the assembly polls approach in Rajasthan, the former deputy chief minister mounted pressure on Chief Minister Gehlot and the party’s top leadership with a five-day yatra which ended Monday with a big rally in Jaipur.

    In an effort to corner Gehlot, Pilot has been demanding action over accusations of corruption made by the Congress ahead of the Rajasthan polls in 2018.

    In an interview with PTI before the Jaipur rally, he compared the situation now in Karnataka, where the Congress has swept the assembly polls, with that in Rajasthan in 2018.

    “We levelled allegations of corruption against the BJP government in Karnataka. The Congress has got a mandate there and if no action against corruption by the (BJP’s) Bommai government is taken, will people listen to us after five years?” he said.

    “This is the situation here in Rajasthan. So I want action taken on this,” he added.

    Pilot’s argument is that the Congress levelled corruption charges against the BJP government of Vasundhara Raje ahead of the 2018 elections, and people expected it to act on the issue once it came to power.

    He asked how he could be wrong in talking about corruption that took place during the term of the previous BJP government in the state.

    Pilot, who is locked in a leadership tussle with Gehlot in the state, said he will continue to raise the issue in the future as well.

    At the rally later, he was more categorical.

    He threatened to launch a major agitation if his demands are not met by the month-end.

    About 15 Congress MLAs shared the dais with him in the show of strength.

    In 2018 the party’s top leadership faced in Rajasthan a dilemma of the kind it encounters in Karnataka where it is forced to pick between two CM aspirants — D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

    The party had then gone with Gehlot, disappointing Pilot who claimed to have led the Congress to victory as the president of the state unit.

    Pilot said when Gehlot was given the opportunity by the party to run the state government for the first time in 1998 he was just 47 or 48 years old, and veteran Congress leaders of that time followed the party discipline.

    Pilot (45) was possibly alluding to the argument that he is too young to become the chief minister.

    He also criticised Gehlot loyalist and minister Shanti Dhariwal’s recent remark that the CM has shown several big leaders their place.

    Reacting to Gehlot’s recent remark that he never boasted about how he won 156 seats for the Congress in 1998, Pilot said no one can boast or take credit for something like this.

    It is the party that contests elections and votes are given on policies and principles, he said.

    When asked about the state government schemes, Pilot said, “A good budget comes, good announcements are made, good policy is made. But why don’t we get the votes? It is the reality and the bitter truth.”

    He said he has raised several issues on party platforms to ensure this doesn’t happen in the coming Rajasthan elections.

    Pilot has been asking the party to resolve “issues” he had raised in 2020 when he and 18 other Congress MLAs revolted against Gehlot’s leadership.

    When asked about reports that he has decided to quit the Congress if issues concerning him are not addressed, Pilot called it speculation created by the media.

    He said the Congress party got huge support in the 2018 elections on the promise that it will take action on “corruption” by the then Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government.

    But no action was taken, he said.

    So he wrote letters to the CM for one and a half years, and then held a one-day fast in Jaipur last month.

    On party leaders calling his foot march from Ajmer to Jaipur a “personal” yatra, the leader said the issues raised by him got huge support from the public.

    “People are coming together on these issues despite the scorching heat, they are walking with me. The support one can see on the road is the support for the issues which I am raising,” he said.

    At the rally, he gave the Gehlot government an ultimatum to agree to three demands, including a high-level probe into “corruption” by the BJP government.

    The dissident leader also demanded the reconstitution of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) over exam paper leaks, and compensation for aspirants who suffered due to this.

    JAIPUR: Dissident Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday cited his party’s victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls to push for action by the Ashok Gehlot government over alleged corruption during the previous BJP rule in Rajasthan.

    As the assembly polls approach in Rajasthan, the former deputy chief minister mounted pressure on Chief Minister Gehlot and the party’s top leadership with a five-day yatra which ended Monday with a big rally in Jaipur.

    In an effort to corner Gehlot, Pilot has been demanding action over accusations of corruption made by the Congress ahead of the Rajasthan polls in 2018.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In an interview with PTI before the Jaipur rally, he compared the situation now in Karnataka, where the Congress has swept the assembly polls, with that in Rajasthan in 2018.

    “We levelled allegations of corruption against the BJP government in Karnataka. The Congress has got a mandate there and if no action against corruption by the (BJP’s) Bommai government is taken, will people listen to us after five years?” he said.

    “This is the situation here in Rajasthan. So I want action taken on this,” he added.

    Pilot’s argument is that the Congress levelled corruption charges against the BJP government of Vasundhara Raje ahead of the 2018 elections, and people expected it to act on the issue once it came to power.

    He asked how he could be wrong in talking about corruption that took place during the term of the previous BJP government in the state.

    Pilot, who is locked in a leadership tussle with Gehlot in the state, said he will continue to raise the issue in the future as well.

    At the rally later, he was more categorical.

    He threatened to launch a major agitation if his demands are not met by the month-end.

    About 15 Congress MLAs shared the dais with him in the show of strength.

    In 2018 the party’s top leadership faced in Rajasthan a dilemma of the kind it encounters in Karnataka where it is forced to pick between two CM aspirants — D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

    The party had then gone with Gehlot, disappointing Pilot who claimed to have led the Congress to victory as the president of the state unit.

    Pilot said when Gehlot was given the opportunity by the party to run the state government for the first time in 1998 he was just 47 or 48 years old, and veteran Congress leaders of that time followed the party discipline.

    Pilot (45) was possibly alluding to the argument that he is too young to become the chief minister.

    He also criticised Gehlot loyalist and minister Shanti Dhariwal’s recent remark that the CM has shown several big leaders their place.

    Reacting to Gehlot’s recent remark that he never boasted about how he won 156 seats for the Congress in 1998, Pilot said no one can boast or take credit for something like this.

    It is the party that contests elections and votes are given on policies and principles, he said.

    When asked about the state government schemes, Pilot said, “A good budget comes, good announcements are made, good policy is made. But why don’t we get the votes? It is the reality and the bitter truth.”

    He said he has raised several issues on party platforms to ensure this doesn’t happen in the coming Rajasthan elections.

    Pilot has been asking the party to resolve “issues” he had raised in 2020 when he and 18 other Congress MLAs revolted against Gehlot’s leadership.

    When asked about reports that he has decided to quit the Congress if issues concerning him are not addressed, Pilot called it speculation created by the media.

    He said the Congress party got huge support in the 2018 elections on the promise that it will take action on “corruption” by the then Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government.

    But no action was taken, he said.

    So he wrote letters to the CM for one and a half years, and then held a one-day fast in Jaipur last month.

    On party leaders calling his foot march from Ajmer to Jaipur a “personal” yatra, the leader said the issues raised by him got huge support from the public.

    “People are coming together on these issues despite the scorching heat, they are walking with me. The support one can see on the road is the support for the issues which I am raising,” he said.

    At the rally, he gave the Gehlot government an ultimatum to agree to three demands, including a high-level probe into “corruption” by the BJP government.

    The dissident leader also demanded the reconstitution of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) over exam paper leaks, and compensation for aspirants who suffered due to this.

  • Public accepted issues raised during ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra’: Sachin Pilot

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday said the public has accepted the issues on which he started his “Jan Sangharsh Yatra” — corruption and government recruitment exam paper leaks.

    The yatra, on its fourth day on Sunday, covered a distance of around 25 km from Mehla town in Jaipur district to Mahapura, where the dissident Congress leader is scheduled to stay the night.

    Addressing his supporters from the top of a bus in Mahapura on the Ajmer highway, Pilot said the yatra will reach its destination in Jaipur Monday.

    “The public has accepted the issues on which the yatra was started — paper leaks and corruption — for the future of the youth and clean politics,” he said.

    “This is not about a person…the public is standing by the issues with which we started,” he said.

    Pilot also saluted the enthusiasm of his supporters and invited people to his public rally to be organised on the fifth and last day of his yatra near Kamla Nehru Nagar on Ajmer highway in Jaipur.

    Pilot started his yatra from Ajmer on the issues of corruption and government recruitment exam paper leaks.

    “The yatra is getting overwhelming response from people. Be it the youth or the elderly, all are attending the padayatra,” an aide of Pilot said.

    Pilot began the foot march from Ajmer on Thursday, challenging Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and the party’s top brass as assembly elections in Rajasthan approach.

    The yatra mounts further pressure on the party leadership as it hopes to retain the state in the elections at the end of the year.

    The march comes days after Gehlot accused the MLAs involved in the 2020 revolt of taking money from the BJP.

    Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs had then sought a leadership change in Rajasthan.

    He was sacked as the party’s state unit president and the deputy chief minister.

    The two Congress strongmen in Rajasthan have been at loggerheads over the post of chief minister ever since the party formed the government in the state in 2018.

    JAIPUR: Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday said the public has accepted the issues on which he started his “Jan Sangharsh Yatra” — corruption and government recruitment exam paper leaks.

    The yatra, on its fourth day on Sunday, covered a distance of around 25 km from Mehla town in Jaipur district to Mahapura, where the dissident Congress leader is scheduled to stay the night.

    Addressing his supporters from the top of a bus in Mahapura on the Ajmer highway, Pilot said the yatra will reach its destination in Jaipur Monday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The public has accepted the issues on which the yatra was started — paper leaks and corruption — for the future of the youth and clean politics,” he said.

    “This is not about a person…the public is standing by the issues with which we started,” he said.

    Pilot also saluted the enthusiasm of his supporters and invited people to his public rally to be organised on the fifth and last day of his yatra near Kamla Nehru Nagar on Ajmer highway in Jaipur.

    Pilot started his yatra from Ajmer on the issues of corruption and government recruitment exam paper leaks.

    “The yatra is getting overwhelming response from people. Be it the youth or the elderly, all are attending the padayatra,” an aide of Pilot said.

    Pilot began the foot march from Ajmer on Thursday, challenging Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and the party’s top brass as assembly elections in Rajasthan approach.

    The yatra mounts further pressure on the party leadership as it hopes to retain the state in the elections at the end of the year.

    The march comes days after Gehlot accused the MLAs involved in the 2020 revolt of taking money from the BJP.

    Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs had then sought a leadership change in Rajasthan.

    He was sacked as the party’s state unit president and the deputy chief minister.

    The two Congress strongmen in Rajasthan have been at loggerheads over the post of chief minister ever since the party formed the government in the state in 2018.

  • Pilot slams Rajasthan CM Gehlot over Raje remark

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  The rift between two top Congress leaders in Rajasthan has further deepened, with Sachin Pilot hitting out at Ashok Gehlot for his remarks that Vasundhara Raje saved his government in 2020.

    At a press conference in Jaipur on Tuesday, Pilot said, “After listening to Ashok Gehlot’s speech at Dholpur on Sunday, it reflects that it is not Sonia Gandhi but Vasundhara Raje is his real leader.”

    Pilot announced his decision to begin a padyatra from Ajmer to Jaipur on May 11 in an attempt to expose the corrupt deals of the previous Raje government and paper leaks during the Gehlot rule. Elections are due in Rajasthan this year. Pilot claimed that his charge of nexus between Gehlot and Raje stands proven by the chief minister’s own statements that the BJP leader had saved his government. 

    On Sunday, Gehlot expressed his gratitude to former CM Vasundhara Raje, Kailash Meghwal and BJP MLA Shobharani for helping him prevent toppling the government, despite belonging to the BJP. While Gehlot claims that the BJP tried to topple his government, but at the same suggests that Raje saved his government, said Pilot, asking the CM to clarify his stance.

    Asserting his claim for the post of Chief Minister in Rajasthan, Pilot mentioned meeting various leaders, including the late Ahmed Patel, and the formation of a committee comprising Ajay Maken and KC Venugopal. Pilot claimed that the roadmap was devised after considering their perspectives.

    He along with his loyalist MLAs worked towards strengthening the Congress during the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan  Sabha polls.

    The progress made over the past two and a half years serves as a testament to their efforts, said Pilot and emphasised that they did not engage in any act of indiscipline. However, in September of last year when there was an opportunity to discuss the matter with the MLAs, Gehlot compelled some of them to resign.

    Pilot announced the padyatra, stating, “I have raised the issue of corruption, and will continue to raise it. There has been no response regarding Vasundhara Raje’s corruption and the paper leak. That’s why I have decided to embark on a 125km walk from the RPSC in Ajmer, where many papers were leaked, to Jaipur on May 11. I will interact with the public during this padyatra, which is aimed at fighting corruption and supporting the youth.”

    On his next political move, Pilot said, “some individuals want a weak Congress and a split in the party. They are attempting my character assassination. We will not allow this to happen. My stance on public issues will remain unchanged. The people are more important than any leader, and we will present all these matters to the public,” he said.

    JAIPUR:  The rift between two top Congress leaders in Rajasthan has further deepened, with Sachin Pilot hitting out at Ashok Gehlot for his remarks that Vasundhara Raje saved his government in 2020.

    At a press conference in Jaipur on Tuesday, Pilot said, “After listening to Ashok Gehlot’s speech at Dholpur on Sunday, it reflects that it is not Sonia Gandhi but Vasundhara Raje is his real leader.”

    Pilot announced his decision to begin a padyatra from Ajmer to Jaipur on May 11 in an attempt to expose the corrupt deals of the previous Raje government and paper leaks during the Gehlot rule. Elections are due in Rajasthan this year. Pilot claimed that his charge of nexus between Gehlot and Raje stands proven by the chief minister’s own statements that the BJP leader had saved his government. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    On Sunday, Gehlot expressed his gratitude to former CM Vasundhara Raje, Kailash Meghwal and BJP MLA Shobharani for helping him prevent toppling the government, despite belonging to the BJP. While Gehlot claims that the BJP tried to topple his government, but at the same suggests that Raje saved his government, said Pilot, asking the CM to clarify his stance.

    Asserting his claim for the post of Chief Minister in Rajasthan, Pilot mentioned meeting various leaders, including the late Ahmed Patel, and the formation of a committee comprising Ajay Maken and KC Venugopal. Pilot claimed that the roadmap was devised after considering their perspectives.

    He along with his loyalist MLAs worked towards strengthening the Congress during the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan  Sabha polls.

    The progress made over the past two and a half years serves as a testament to their efforts, said Pilot and emphasised that they did not engage in any act of indiscipline. However, in September of last year when there was an opportunity to discuss the matter with the MLAs, Gehlot compelled some of them to resign.

    Pilot announced the padyatra, stating, “I have raised the issue of corruption, and will continue to raise it. There has been no response regarding Vasundhara Raje’s corruption and the paper leak. That’s why I have decided to embark on a 125km walk from the RPSC in Ajmer, where many papers were leaked, to Jaipur on May 11. I will interact with the public during this padyatra, which is aimed at fighting corruption and supporting the youth.”

    On his next political move, Pilot said, “some individuals want a weak Congress and a split in the party. They are attempting my character assassination. We will not allow this to happen. My stance on public issues will remain unchanged. The people are more important than any leader, and we will present all these matters to the public,” he said.

  • Sachin Pilot says will continue to protest graft during former CM Raje’s regime

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot has asserted he will continue with his agitation for action against the corruption of the previous BJP government.

    Speaking to the media in Jaipur on Sunday, Pilot said he will not back down from the stand he has taken against the state Congress government and has been “politely requesting” it to take action in corruption cases of the previous BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje.

    Pilot also remarked that despite his fast on April 11, no action has been taken in these cases. “Speaking the truth, raising voice against corruption and injustice, is among the values of the Congress party. Following these values, I observed a one-day fast on April 11. Today, it’s been two weeks, no action has been taken so far. So, again I politely request the government to fulfil the promises we had made to the people,” Pilot told reporters after offering prayers at Jaipur’s famous  Jharkhand Temple on Sunday.

    Pilot added that he greatly welcomes the action taken by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which arrested several corrupt IAS, IPS, RAS and other officers. 

    He further said, “the chief minister himself had said that ACB is active and has raided several corrupt officers, which we all welcome. But, when he had come to power after being in opposition for five years, we never said that we would arrest a patwari or officer. We had said we will take action in the corruption cases that happened in Vasundhara Ji’s tenure.”

    ALSO READ | ‘We are all united’: Rajasthan Congress chief on Gehlot-Pilot issue

    Significantly, Pilot wondered how demanding action against corruption is being termed as an ‘anti-party activity’. Instead, he said that the September 25 incident when pro-Gehlot MLAs had boycotted the CLP meeting in Jaipur, was a virtual rebellion against Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the real damage to the party was due to that action of the MLAs last year.

    Pilot also raised questions over the inaction against the pro-Gehlot leaders who had defied the party’s high command in September 2022.

    “It is true that the incident that took place on September 25 was an open violation of the orders of our Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken were openly insulted. Why hasn’t action been taken against them yet? The answer lies with the party,” Pilot remarked as he once again asserted.

    Pilot also argued that it was unfair to call his fast ‘anti-party’ and said “this is the first time that even before an event took place, it was declared so.

    ALSO READ | AAP, RLP keep door open for Sachin Pilot

    JAIPUR:  Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot has asserted he will continue with his agitation for action against the corruption of the previous BJP government.

    Speaking to the media in Jaipur on Sunday, Pilot said he will not back down from the stand he has taken against the state Congress government and has been “politely requesting” it to take action in corruption cases of the previous BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje.

    Pilot also remarked that despite his fast on April 11, no action has been taken in these cases. “Speaking the truth, raising voice against corruption and injustice, is among the values of the Congress party. Following these values, I observed a one-day fast on April 11. Today, it’s been two weeks, no action has been taken so far. So, again I politely request the government to fulfil the promises we had made to the people,” Pilot told reporters after offering prayers at Jaipur’s famous  Jharkhand Temple on Sunday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Pilot added that he greatly welcomes the action taken by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which arrested several corrupt IAS, IPS, RAS and other officers. 

    He further said, “the chief minister himself had said that ACB is active and has raided several corrupt officers, which we all welcome. But, when he had come to power after being in opposition for five years, we never said that we would arrest a patwari or officer. We had said we will take action in the corruption cases that happened in Vasundhara Ji’s tenure.”

    ALSO READ | ‘We are all united’: Rajasthan Congress chief on Gehlot-Pilot issue

    Significantly, Pilot wondered how demanding action against corruption is being termed as an ‘anti-party activity’. Instead, he said that the September 25 incident when pro-Gehlot MLAs had boycotted the CLP meeting in Jaipur, was a virtual rebellion against Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the real damage to the party was due to that action of the MLAs last year.

    Pilot also raised questions over the inaction against the pro-Gehlot leaders who had defied the party’s high command in September 2022.

    “It is true that the incident that took place on September 25 was an open violation of the orders of our Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken were openly insulted. Why hasn’t action been taken against them yet? The answer lies with the party,” Pilot remarked as he once again asserted.

    Pilot also argued that it was unfair to call his fast ‘anti-party’ and said “this is the first time that even before an event took place, it was declared so.

    ALSO READ | AAP, RLP keep door open for Sachin Pilot

  • It’s not political, says Vasundhara Raje as her Mewar yatra creates buzz

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday started her four-day tour of Mewar and Merwara regions during which she will visit various temples and meet the families of BJP leaders who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The yatra that will cover six districts has created a buzz as it is seen as an attempt to reassert her position in the state BJP after maintaining a low profile following her defeat in the 2018 assembly polls, but Raje said that the visit is not political.

    “From the very beginning, I believe in ‘dharm-neeti’ (righteous policy) instead of ‘rajneeti’ (politics),” she said.

    The BJP leader said she will pay homage to those who have passed away due to COVID-19 and pray for the prosperity of the state in various temples.

    ”This programme of four days is not political. My daughter-in-law was sick for the last 10 months. With the blessings of Sawaliya Seth, her health is now improving. Due to her deteriorating health, I could not come to express my condolences on the death of our colleagues, so I have come now,” she said.

    Raje was speaking while addressing a gathering after offering prayers at the Sanwaliya temple.

    The BJP veteran will be visiting various temples, including Tripura Sundari in Banswara where she has often paid obeisance during her political campaigns.

    “Today, I bowed before Sanwalia Seth and wished for the prosperity of the state. I am overwhelmed by the affectionate welcome of the people’s representatives, workers, farmers and youths,” Raje later said on Twitter.

    Raje visited the family of late BJP MLA from Dhariyawad Gautam Lal Meena who succumbed to COVID-19 in May.

    The Congress won the seat in the recent bypolls, while the BJP came third.

    Raje said that during the rule of her government, development works worth Rs 550 crore were carried out at 125 temples.

    She will be covering six districts of Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Banswara, Rajsamand, Bhilwara and Ajmer during the yatra.

    The former chief minister will conclude her tour at Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

    Apart from Sanwaliya temple, Raje will offer prayers at Tripura Sundari temple in Banswara on Tuesday evening, Charbhuja temple, Dwarkadhish temple (Rajsamand), Eklingji temple (Udaipur) on Wednesday, Nathdwara temple (Rajsamand) on Thursday, Brahma temple (Pushkar, Ajmer) and Ajmer dargah on Friday.

    She will pay homage to former MLAs, including Kiran Maheshwari and Jeetmal Khant, who died during the pandemic.

  • Gehlot’s new team ready: 11 Cabinet Ministers, 4 new MoS to take the oath; 5 from Pilot camp

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: The list of new ministers of the Gehlot government has been announced. After a long struggle, the Gehlot cabinet is all set for expansion today. 

    According to the list released by the Congress party, a total of 15 ministers will take oath today.  Of these, 11 will be sworn in as Cabinet Minister and 4 as Ministers of State.

    Five of the new ministers will be from the Sachin Pilot faction.  The list of newly appointed ministers was released late on Saturday night. Three existing ministers of state will be promoted as Cabinet Ministers. It is expected that after the expansion of the cabinet, the one-and-a-half year political crisis between Gehlot and Pilot camp will come to an end.

    The ministers who will take oath as part of the cabinet include Hemaram Chaudhary, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, Ramlal Jat, Dr Mahesh Joshi, Vishvendra Singh, Ramesh Meena, Mamta Bhupesh Bairwa, Bhajan Lal Jatav, Tikaram Julie, Govind Ram Meghwal and Shakuntala Rawat.  

    Zahida Khan, Brijendra Singh Ola, Rajendra Singh Gudha and Murarilal Meena are included as Ministers of State.

    Members from the Sachin Pilot faction who have been rewarded with ministerial berths are Hemaram Chaudhary, Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena. Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena had lost their seats in the political crisis followed by the Sachin Pilot’s rebellion last year. Now both of them will be back in the cabinet. Pilot loyalists Brijendra Singh Ola and Murari Lal Meena have been made Ministers of State.

    During the political crisis, 13 independent MLAs had supported the Gehlot government and they were expecting to get a place in the cabinet. However, their hopes have been crushed. Out of the six MLAs who joined Congress from BSP, one person has entered the Gehlot cabinet with Rajendra Singh Gudha being made Minister of State.

    The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Sunday at 4 pm in Raj Bhavan. All the ministers have been called to the state Congress headquarters at 2 pm on Sunday and from there, they all will go to the Raj Bhavan.  

    In the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the CM residence on Saturday evening, resignations were taken from all the ministers.  The resignations of only 3 ministers who have been removed have been accepted. In the first phase, only these three ministers will be dropped.  

    It is believed that there will be a huge reshuffle in the portfolios of the ministers. Except for a few of them, the portfolios of most of Cabinet members will be changed. The new portfolios have also been decided at by the Congress High Command and the decision will be disclosed after the swearing-in ceremony.

  • Gehlot’s new team ready: 11 Cabinet Ministers, 4 new MoS to take oath; five from Pilot camp

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: The list of new ministers of the Gehlot government has been announced. After a long struggle, the Gehlot cabinet is all set for expansion today. 

    According to the list released by the Congress party, a total of 15 ministers will take oath today.  Of these, 11 will be sworn in as Cabinet Minister and 4 as Ministers of State.

    Five of the new ministers will be from the Sachin Pilot faction.  The list of newly appointed ministers was released late on Saturday night. Three existing ministers of state will be promoted as Cabinet Ministers. It is expected that after the expansion of the cabinet, the one-and-a-half year political crisis between Gehlot and Pilot camp will come to an end.

    The ministers who will take oath as part of the cabinet include Hemaram Chaudhary, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, Ramlal Jat, Dr Mahesh Joshi, Vishvendra Singh, Ramesh Meena, Mamta Bhupesh Bairwa, Bhajan Lal Jatav, Tikaram Julie, Govind Ram Meghwal and Shakuntala Rawat.  

    Zahida Khan, Brijendra Singh Ola, Rajendra Singh Gudha and Murarilal Meena are included as Ministers of State.

    Members from the Sachin Pilot faction who have been rewarded with ministerial berths are Hemaram Chaudhary, Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena. Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena had lost their seats in the political crisis followed by the Sachin Pilot’s rebellion last year. Now both of them will be back in the cabinet. Pilot loyalists Brijendra Singh Ola and Murari Lal Meena have been made Ministers of State.

    During the political crisis, 13 independent MLAs had supported the Gehlot government and they were expecting to get a place in the cabinet. However, their hopes have been crushed. Out of the six MLAs who joined Congress from BSP, one person has entered the Gehlot cabinet with Rajendra Singh Gudha being made Minister of State.

    The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Sunday at 4 pm in Raj Bhavan. All the ministers have been called to the state Congress headquarters at 2 pm on Sunday and from there, they all will go to the Raj Bhavan.  

    In the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the CM residence on Saturday evening, resignations were taken from all the ministers.  The resignations of only 3 ministers who have been removed have been accepted. In the first phase, only these three ministers will be dropped.  

    It is believed that there will be a huge reshuffle in the portfolios of the ministers. Except for a few of them, the portfolios of most of Cabinet members will be changed. The new portfolios have also been decided at by the Congress High Command and the decision will be disclosed after the swearing-in ceremony.