Soon after his patch-up talks with senior Congress leaders, former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Monday night said he has never hankered after posts and his was a fight for principles. He also welcomed the creation of a three-member panel by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to address the issues raised by him as the protracted political crisis engulfing the party in Rajasthan drew closer to an end.
Pilot, who made his first public appearance since his revolt against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot a month ago, said he and the other MLAs raised organisational issues, the case of sedition filed by the SOG, and the style of governance in the state, and expressed the hope that the grievances will be addressed soon. He was speaking after the rebel Congress MLAs met party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal and aired their grievances.
The MLAs said the issues raised were in the party's interests.
Pilot had met Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi earlier in the day. Priyanka, Venugopal and Ahmed Patel are part of the panel set up to address Pilot's complaints and recommend action.
"We raised issues of principles before the Congress leadership and welcome their assurance of time-bound redressal of our grievances," said Pilot.
"I don't crave for any post or hanker after any position. The party has given a position and can take it back. I wanted that the respect be maintained and those who have worked hard in the formation of Congress government in Rajasthan be rewarded accordingly," the former deputy chief minister said.
Pilot said he has worked hard for bringing the Congress to power in Rajasthan and hoped the party would fulfil its promises made to the people.
After the meeting, AICC general secretary Venugopal said, "The Congress will go forward unitedly by mutually respecting each other and resolving concerns raised."
Pilot said some personal remarks have been made against him, but he has never used such language that hurts anyone. "I feel there is no place for personal mudslinging in politics," he said, adding all this while he did not respond to any personal remarks made against him and maintained dignity.
Pilot was referring to earlier remarks made by Gehlot who had called his former deputy "nikamma" (useless) and had accused him of playing a part in toppling the government.
"We raised organisational issues, the case of sedition filed by the state SOG, the style of functioning and governance in Rajasthan," Pilot said. "I raised my experiences of 1.5 years to the party leadership and said whatever was in the party's interest."
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