JAIPUR/NEW DELHI: On a day the Congress suffered a jolt with Jitin Prasada joining the BJP in Delhi, the crisis in the party deepened in Rajasthan with AICC general secretary and former MP Bhanwar Jitendra Singh coming out in support of former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and MLAs close to him.
Singh, who is also a former Union minister and known to be close to Rahul Gandhi, told a digital news portal – video of which went viral on social media on Wednesday – that whatever was promised to Pilot should be fulfilled.
With dissent in Rajasthan Congress increasing, there were reports that chief minister Ashok Gehlot may go for a few changes in his cabinet by end-June or early next month to accommodate the Pilot camp.
Sources in the Congress headquarters in Delhi indicated that Pilot is likely to be part of a reshuffle in AICC which is expected in the near future.
There were reports that Pilot has sought time from the party high command but sources said that he has been in touch with Priyanka Gandhi on phone.
Sources also indicated that following these developments, Pilot has dropped his plans to organise a “show of strength” along with MLAs supporting him on June 11, the death anniversary of his father Rajesh Pilot.
“Whatever talks took place with the (Congress) high command or the general secretary in-charge, must materialise.
If he (Pilot) has raised it now, I do not think there is anything to feel bad about.
Our party says Congressmen are free to raise their issues,” Jitendra Singh is heard saying in the video clip.
Pilot also raised concern over the AICC committee being unable to resolve the political issues in Rajasthan even 10 months after problems surfaced.
In response to a question, Singh said there was no talk of change of CM in Rajasthan when the party central leadership intervened to end the rebellion last year.
TOI tried to contact the former union minister for comments, but his staff said he was busy.
There has also been consternation over the committee formed last year to resolve the issue.
Headed by AICC general secretary in-charge of organisation KC Venugopal, the panel was constituted to resolve differences between Pilot and Gehlot after the rebellion by 19 Congress MLAs in July-August last year.
Cabinet expansion and reshuffle as well as state-level political appointments were key demands of the Pilot faction.
Congress MLA Ved Prakash Solanki, a vocal supporter of Pilot, told TOI, “Few months back, I met AICC general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken, who is part of the committee.
However, there has been no progress.
The committee has not called us till date, while the government’s half term is already over.” Last month, Pilot loyalist MLA Hemaram Chaudhary sent his resignation to the assembly Speaker, but it has not been accepted so far.
State BJP leaders were quick to fuel the infighting in Rajasthan Congress.
Deputy leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore tweeted, “Hard work pays off, though it may take time.
Today’s state government exists only as a result of the hard work of Sachin Pilot ji.
Today, AICC general secretary Bhanwar Jitendra Singh has spoken up.” “Dozens of Congress MLAs have raised their voices against the present government’s working style; when their voice may turn into a roar, no one knows,” Rathore’s tweet added.
Pilot responded by tweeting, “Instead of making useless statements, state BJP leaders should consider their own condition seriously.
Infightings and squabbles are so dominant in BJP that it is unable to play the role of opposition in the state.
Public will give a befitting reply to those who abandoned people amid the crisis arising from their faulty policies.”