Farmers Movement Archive

Rajasthan: Increased representation of weaker sections has sent positive message, says Sachin Pilot

JAIPUR: Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday expressed happiness at the fresh composition of Ashok Gehlot cabinet in Rajasthan saying that the Dalit representation has increased four-fold and the scheduled tribe representation has increased three times. Pilot said the representation of women and minorities has been considerably increased to accommodate sections that have stood with the Congress and it has sent a ‘positive message’ across the state. “The cabinet changes have guaranteed that Rajasthan’s Congress government will get repeated in 2023. BJP was predicting our government’s fall after the cabinet reshuffle, but the rejig has worked to strengthen us 25 times more,” Pilot said at a press conference here. "The way Congress fought BJP for farmers resulted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdrawing the three farm laws. We will continue to expose the deeds of BJP, which is our key opponent in Rajasthan,” he said. Pilot said the cabinet reshuffle was based on feedback and opinions of all the state leaders. He even thanked Gehlot, AICC leader Ajay Maken and PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, along with the party high command, on the selection of new ministers. “This AICC decision (of cabinet rejig) is comprehensive, accurate and well thought out,” Pilot said. He added that more party workers would be accommodated in governance through political appointments in boards/commissions in the coming days. The former deputy CM said, “I have always talked about principles like increasing representation of SC, ST, OBC, minorities, women and young people who toiled for us. It is not about individuals but collective leadership. Our aim is to break the state’s tradition by repeating Congress government here. I am happy that the AICC committee has taken steps on the issues raised and will continue to do more in the state.” On his role in the party, Pilot said, “Whatever responsibility the Congress gave me in the past, I fulfilled it with total commitment. I shall do the same in future also whenever a role is assigned to me.” Pilot claimed there were no separate camps in Rajasthan Congress. “We contested the 2018 election collectively under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi ji, Rahul Gandhi ji and Priyanka Gandhi ji. The 2023 election too would be fought in the same way.”

The Times of India

2021-11-22

Jaipur