Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday lambasted his party leader and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot saying former’s leader is BJP’s Vasundhara Raje not Sonia Gandhi.
Pilot’s reaction came days after Gehlot had dropped a bombshell saying his government was saved due to the help from Raje and other two BJP leaders, when the later had rebelled against his leadership in 2020, along with 18 other MLAs.
Following the incident, Congress high command and other leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had intervened to resolve the crisis. Pilot was also removed as the state’s deputy CM and Congress’ Rajasthan chief.
According to the report in NDTV, Pilot said: “After hearing the Chief Minister's speech in Dholpur, I think his leader is not Sonia Gandhi, but his leader is Vasundhara Raje. He (Gehlot) alleges that BJP tried to topple his government. Then he says a BJP leader helped save his government. He should explain the contradiction."
Pilot as per the report also said he would not quit the party as he didn't want to ruin its chances ahead of the state’s election later this year. Pilot has announced
"Jan Sangharsh Yatra" from Ajmer to Jaipur to highlight corruption instead, the report said.
Pilot’s remarks have come at a time when Karnataka is slated to go for polling on Wednesday.
"I now understand why no action was taken against corruption by the Vasundhara Raje government despite my repeated requests," Pilot was quoted as having said.
Pilot as per the report also accused Ashok Gehlot of going soft on the BJP because of a secret understanding.
"He called me gaddar (traitor), nikamma (useless), corona…Many insinuations and abuses were directed at me. I didn't say anything as I didn't want to damage the party," he was quoted as having said.
"The yatra is not against anyone but is against corruption," he added as per the report.
He also defended his 2020 revolt saying MLAs wanted a leadership change in Rajasthan, the report said.
