EXCLUSIVE: Cong will return to power in Rajasthan, says BD Kalla

Rajasthan's PHED minister Dr BD Kalla in an interaction with ETV Bharat spoke about how the political tussle between Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot would harm the Congress' prospects. The minister expressed hope that the party would strengthen ahead of 2023 elections in the state.

Jaipur: Expressing optimism about the Congress making a come back in Rajasthan, Energy and Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) minister Dr Bulaki Das Kalla heaped praises on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's administration for doing good work in the state. In an exclusive interaction with ETV Bharat's regional news coordinator Sachin Sharma, the minister opened up on how the ongoing tussle between CM and the Sachin Pilot camp in Rajasthan Congress, saying that everyone wants power.

"Everyone in the party, obey our high command. Every person has a wish. According to that wish, everyone keeps his word. But then the decision given by the high command should be followed by all, irrespective of the differences. Gehlot government is doing good work in Rajasthan, Kalla said, adding, "On the basis of the wonderful budget he has given, I can say with certainty that the Congress government will come again to power in Rajasthan. Congress will be strong. The reason for this is that a network of roads is being laid in Rajasthan, water connection and electricity is being provided from house to house. More than one lakh people have been given employment. The development work is going on continuously even during the Corona period." said BD Kalla, when asked about the state of the Rajasthan Congress, especially with the Gehlot and Pilot faction at loggerheads for two and a half years, and regarding the Congress contesting in the Rajasthan elections in 2023.

Read:Gehlot-led govt wins vote of confidence in State Assembly

"We have decentralization of power here. Even when I was the president of the Congress, I used to get a lot of support from the central leadership. I remember that 25 per cent of the Congress membership fee has to be paid to BCC, 40 per cent goes to the block and 25 per cent to the PCC, and the rest goes to the AICC. When I distributed the same to everyone, then our leader Sonia Gandhi asked how will this party run? Then every month we were given a cheque of Rs 2 lakh from the AICC. This support was available earlier and, it is still available now. State-level work is done by the State Congress Committee," the minister said.

Kalla went to say: "We follow whatever instructions that comes from AICC. The Congress is an old organization that has given the freedom to the country. The country has been made self-reliant. Everyone's voice is heard in our organization. After that, a decision is taken by our party leadership which is acceptable to all of us."

When asked about how the tussle between Sachin Pilot and CM Ashok Gehlot would affect the Congress, the minister said, "I understand that there is no conflict in our party as much as there is in the BJP. Yes, it is certain that everyone wants power. A committee has been formed to resolve the issue, and I'm sure a solution is in the offing."

Read:Maken denies revolt in Rajasthan Congress