Belying the hype surrounding the occasion, former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday did not make any major announcement as he attended functions organised to pay homage to his father, late Congress leader Rajesh Pilot in Dausa.
However, while Pilot did not make any big declaration about what his future plans were, in his speech at a function in Dausa, he made it clear that he was not backing down from his demands with regard to alleged corruption during the tenure of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and question paper leaks in recruitment exams in the state.
"My political aim is clear, that politics in the country and in the state should be clean. There should be no place for corruption and the hope of the youth should not be destroyed," Pilot said addressing a gathering at Gurjar Chatrawas in Dausa after unveiling a statue of his father at the hostel.
He said he followed the ideals of his father who, according to him, would put forth his views in politics forcefully and did not make any compromise with his ideals.
The gap between him and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was evident in his speech as he, without naming the latter, took swipes at him.
As he spoke about the issue of corruption during Raje's term as CM, specifically the alleged illegality in allocation of mining contracts, he quoted Gehlot, without naming him, as having once said that every mistake calls for punishment. And with regard to the demand for compensation to be given to the youth affected by paper leaks in recruitment exams, he said, "somebody called it intellectual bankruptcy," again quoting what Gehlot had said on the issue.
Pilot, who is engaged in a bitter tussle for supremacy with Gehlot, asserted that whether he occupied any post or not, for him his credibility amongst the people was of prime importance.
"Today or tomorrow, we will get justice...No matter what the situation, I assure you all that you will get justice. I will carry on with my struggle to fulfil the promises that I have made to you," he said.
"I listen to the voice of the people. And I listen to my inner voice. Both say the same thing to me," he said. He also stressed that he will not walk back from his ideals and beliefs, while maintaining that he has always practised politics of decency and has never used bad words against his political adversaries.
Earlier in the day, Pilot paid floral tributes at the Rajesh Pilot Memorial in village Bhandana in Dausa, the spot where Pilot senior had lost his life in a road accident 23 years ago. He also attended a prayer meeting at the memorial.
Present on the occasion were ministers Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Murari Lal Meena, Rajendra Singh Guda and Hemaram Chaudhary. Also present were several current and former MLAs. State vice president Rajendra Chaudhary also attended the prayer meeting.
There was immense anticipation in the run up to June 11 with regard to whether Pilot would make a major announcement about his future plans. There has been a huge buzz about the possibility of Pilot launching his own party. He has so far refused to comment on the issue.
Pilot had sat on a day-long Anshan on the issue of inaction over corruption in the Vasundhara regime on April 11. It was followed by a five-day padayatra from Ajmer to Jaipur that began on May 11 to demand action on the issue of paper leaks.
It was speculated if a month later, on June 11, the day also being his father's death anniversary, Pilot would make clear his future course of action.
While the central leadership of the Congress claims to have resolved the issues between Gehlot and Pilot, the divide between the two is only too visible. It was evident in Pilot's remarks made today. His continued assertion that he will not back down from his demands over corruption during the Vasundhara regime and the paper leak issue lays bare the difficulties of bridging the gap between the two leaders.
