Congress sacks Sachin Pilot as Rajasthan state chief, deputy CM

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 14

Rajasthan Congress crisis took a dramatic turn on Tuesday with the party sacking rebel Sachin Pilot as state unit chief and deputy chief minister along with two state ministers Ramesh Meena and Vishvendra Singh.

Editorial: Sachin Pilot’s gamble

The Congress drew a line saying the party leadership favoured Pilot throughout his political journey and yet he “colluded with the BJP to destabilise the Ashok Gehlot led Congress government in the state.”

“This is unacceptable. The Congress has decided to immediately divest Sachin Pilot of his role as deputy CM and state party chief and state ministers Ramesh Meena and Vishvendra Singh are also relieved of their ministerial responsibilities forthwith,” Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said with the divorce between the Congress and Pilot complete.

Also read: Another recognised Congress leader insulted, Pilot should join BJP immediately: Rita Bahuguna Joshi

The Congress has appointed Rajasthan education minister Govind Dotasra as the new state Congress president.

Action against Pilot and his supporting ministers came a day after the CLP resolution demanded strict disciplinary proceedings against “any office bearers or CLP members who work to weaken the party and its government.”

The resolution was passed parallel to Congress claims that top party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, spoke to Pilot several times Monday and asked him to return and resolve internal differences internally.

Also read: Rajasthan Congress developments echo in national political landscape

“The Congress gave Sachin Pilot a lot of political heft even while he was young. He was made a minister at the centre in his 30s, a state unit chief and then the Deputy CM when he was just 40. Doors for him were always kept open. The fact that he was repeatedly backed by the party meant he enjoyed the affections of both top leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. But Sachin Pilot and his supporters have preferred to fall into the trap laid by the BJP,” said Surjewala even as Gehlot met state governor today show he has the numbers.

All eyes are now on Pilot who may open his cards finally with no moral pressure left or quitting the Congress.

He is now free to make his moves.