New Delhi (India), April 11, 2023: Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot went ahead with his day-long fast in Jaipur on Tuesday to demand action against corruption in the state, despite a warning from the party on Monday night.
The Congress had warned Pilot that any such action would be considered anti-party activity. Pilot, a former deputy chief minister of the state, had accused the Ashok Gehlot-led government of failing to investigate cases of alleged corruption during the BJP’s rule in Rajasthan.
However, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that a probe was already underway against BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in connection with a cooperative society scam.
Pilot’s fast was seen as a fresh attack on Gehlot, his old political rival within the party. The two leaders had engaged in a bitter power struggle last year that led to a month-long political crisis in the state. The sources close to Pilot said that his fight was against corruption during the previous Vasundhara Raje regime and not targeted at anyone else.
While thousands of supporters joined Pilot during his fast at Shaheed Smarak, no MLA or minister was present. Those vying for the position of chief minister were subtly warned by revenue minister Ramlal Jat that Gehlot was chosen as the chief minister of Rajasthan by the party’s high command.
BJP’s Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Congress government in Rajasthan seemed to be divided into two factions, and the people were suffering. He believed that the people would teach them a lesson in the upcoming elections.
