EXCLUSIVE: Will serve people of Rajasthan till last breath, says Sachin Pilot

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, amid the political upheaval in Rajasthan, former Deputy Chief Minister and Congress’ state unit chief Sachin Pilot said that that he never craved for any position and will serve the people who supported him for six years till last breath.

Jaipur: A day after the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister's meeting with Rahul Gandhi, signalled an 'amicable resolution' of nearly a month-long political crisis in the state, ETV Bharat spoke exclusively to Sachin Pilot over the crisis ahead of the crucial assembly session beginning August 14.

Pilot, who became the longest-serving PCC chief in Rajasthan with a six-year-tenure said that he never craved for any position and will continue to fight for the people who supported him for six years.

The statement came as he returned to Jaipur nearly a month after he rebelled against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

While responding to allegations against him, Pilot said: "It is much easier to level charges, raise fingers or indulge in mud-slinging. But the people know what the reality is."

Taking a note of all the issues flagged by him, Pilot said, "I had raised the issues related to governance, leadership, public delivery, the participation of workers and leaders and their respect." Meanwhile, a three-member committee has been formed to look into grievances of its rebel leaders in Rajasthan to end a revolt that threatened Gehlot’s government. Expressing satisfaction over the development, he said, "This committee will shortly have a sitting and sort out all these issues and problems."

'Action against rebel MLAs was unwarranted'

In response to the action taken against ministers and MLAs who stood by him, Pilot said: "I am accountable to all the legislators who stood by me. The MLAs, who are in Jaisalmer, Jaipur or any other place, got party tickets when I was the PCC chief. We helped them win the election. You would have noticed that none of the MLAs who were with me uttered even a word against the party. Despite this, the action was taken, which was unwarranted."

'Don't want to set the wrong example for the youth of the country'

"I was rated as someone of no use, but I did not respond. I feel that it is not a healthy political tradition. You can face opposition in politics or you may not be liked. There can be disagreement; ideological differences or even political enmity, but the world sees the selection of words. As a result, I did not respond even after hearing a lot of things," Pilot told ETV Bharat, referring to Gehlot’s remarks last month that described him as "nakara" and "nikamma" (useless).

Advocating that politicians should lead by example, Pilot said, "Everyone watches closely what a politician does or speaks; therefore, I ignored all the hatred and did not respond. I don't want to set a wrong example for the youth of the country."

He said that Gehlot is quite senior to him in terms of age. "I have only respect for him. I have nothing personal against him," he added.

'Not worried about positions’

When asked about his strategy to regain the post from which he was sacked on July 15, Pilot said that he isn't worried about positions.

"When I came to Rajasthan, I had nothing. I had come to revive the party. All those who stood by me rock-solid six years back, I am fighting for their self-respect. I have an unwavering relationship with the people of Rajasthan," he said.

"I will continue to work for people till my last breath, whether I hold a position in the party or not," he added.

When asked about internal bickering within the Congress, he said that when he was the PCC chief, it was his responsibility to address workers’ concerns and disaffection among them. Similarly, the chief minister as the head of the state should address people’s concerns.

The Congress had removed Pilot from the posts of party president and deputy chief minister after he rebelled against Gehlot last month. Pilot and 18 MLAs loyal to him were accused of the "conspiracy" to topple the state government.