Rajasthan: Sachin Pilot Camp Offered Three Ministerial Berths, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Not In Hurry For Reshuffle, Say Reports

Former Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly Depender Singh Shekhawat has come out in support of former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot. Shekhawat -- a five-term MLA -- has issued a statement. The statement reportedly says that the issue in Rajasthan was not about Cabinet expansion "but about honouring the Congress workers who played a key role in the 2018 Assembly elections victory."

Sections of the media say that the statement hints that Gehlot is in no hurry to carry out a cabinet expansion.

Meanwhile Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, who was in support of Sachin Pilot during the rebellion against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in 2020, has "expressed faith in the Chief Minister's leadership".

He added that he considers Sachin Pilot as his leader. Ashok Gehlot is above Pilot, he has said. "He is the chief minister so he will have to be considered as the leader, even Sachin will also have to consider him as the leader," Sharma added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party in the state has been pointing at 'factionalism' within Congress.

What is causing ripples in the Pilot camp? Sections of the media say they are over the "delay" in meeting the demands of the faction.

Sharma, along with MLA Indraj Gurjar and MLA P R Meena are said to have praised Mr Gehlot for "work done in their constituencies in the recent days."

Pilot was recently in Delhi. His short trip came after talks of cabinet reshuffle in the state, where Pilot reportedly would pitch for leaders from his ‘camp’. Gehlot has reportedly resisted a reshuffle. Pilot’s camp has been reportedly offered three ministerial posts and other top posts in the state.

Shekhawat has said that political appointments should be given to “those who have carried the burden of making the Congress win at the polling booths and not to cherry-picked retired bureaucrats and officers whose loyalties are temporary, at best”.

He has added that he has full faith in the commitment made by the party high command.