Rajasthan: Sachin Pilot Begins Day-Long Fast Against 'Corruption'; Congress Calls It 'Anti-Party Activity'

Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday (11 April) began protest against his own party-led government by observing a day-long fast.

Pilot has accused the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot led Congress government in Rajasthan of failing to investigate alleged cases of corruption that occurred during previous Vasundhara Raje led BJP government.

Sachin's move is reportedly believed to be an attempt to pressure the Congress high command to resolve the leadership issue in the state before the upcoming assembly polls. 

However, the Congress has cautioned Pilot against this move, stating that it would be deemed as "anti-party activity" and go against the party's interests. This sets the stage for a face-off between Pilot and the Congress.

On Monday (10 April), Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, the AICC in-charge of Rajasthan, made a late-night statement that Sachin Pilot's day-long fast the following day was an anti-party activity that went against party interests.

“Sachin Pilot’s day-long fast tomorrow is against party interests and is (an) anti-party activity. If there is any issue with his own government, it can be discussed in the party forums instead of in the media and public.”

Pilot had earlier held a press conference in Jaipur where he played video clips of Gehlot's statements on BJP's corruption and said he was worried about the absence of action.

He mentioned that he had written two letters to Gehlot last year, which remained unanswered.

He called the lack of action "vichitra" or bizarre and suggested that Gehlot needs to act decisively to dispel the perception of collusion between him and Raje.

To call for action in corruption cases, Pilot announced a day-long dharna on 11 April at Jaipur's Shaheed Smarak.