Amid the political storm in the desert state, veteran Congress leader Margaret Alva while taking a  a dig at rebel leader Sachin Pilot, asked on Sunday, why the former deputy chief minister was in such a “hurry” and whether he was “aspiring” to become the prime minister by 45 years of age by joining the BJP.

The former Union Minister also lashed out at Pilot over the timing of his rebellion and said when the entire country is fighting COVID-19 and China in the wake of the border standoff, he is seeking appointment as Rajasthan chief minister.

Advertisement

“Congress formed a majority government in Rajasthan and Sachin Pilot became his (Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s) deputy. He got four important portfolios also, as well as the post of PCC (state Congress unit) chief,” Alva said in an interview to news agency PTI.

Sachin Pilot became an MP at 26, was a Union minister and later he became Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief followed by deputy chief minister, she added.

“Where did you want to reach in such a hurry? Whether you wanted to become chief minister at 43 and prime minister at 45 by joining the BJP,” the former Rajasthan governor asked of 42-year-old Pilot.

Alva’s remarks come as Pilot declared open rebellion against the Gehlot government. he was sacked as deputy chief minister and state Congress chief last week.

The crisis exploded following the night of July 10 when the Rajasthan Police sent a notice to Pilot, asking him to record his statement over an alleged attempt to bring down the government.

On July 12, the sulking leader declared open rebellion against his party by claiming that he has the support of 30 MLAs.

Though Pilot had asserted that he is not joining the BJP, the Congress has accused him of taking support from the BJP in efforts to topple the Gehlot government.

Alva while criticising Pilot for his actions, however, pitched for giving voice to the young leadership in the party’s decision-making process.

She also said that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi should be allowed to form a new “young team” to instil “new approach and enthusiasm” in the grand old party.

On the rebellion by Jyotiraditya Scindia in Madhya Pradesh, Alva said every demand can”t be met and such leaders have no commitment for the party and its ideology.

She said Scindia was general secretary of the party and was offered the post of deputy chief minister in Madhya Pradesh, which he refused.

Jyotiraditya Scindia after leaving the Congress joined the BJP.

Scindia quit the Congress on March 10 and later joined the BJP the very next day. His resignation from the Congress triggered a revolt in the Madhya Pradesh party unit, with 22 MLAs who belong to his camp also tendering their resignations. This led to collapse of the Kamal Nath-led state government in March.

22 MLAs loyal to Scindia resigned from the Congress, paving way for the BJP to come to power in the state again. Senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan took oath as chief minister of the state three months back.

“Congress is a big party. There are so many states. Everyone’s demand can’t be met,” she said and added that during the times of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, no one had the courage to seek any “post” for himself or herself.

“This is a new era. They are the new generation. There is no commitment for ideology. There is no commitment for problems in the party and for its solutions. Those joining the BJP, have no commitment for the ideology, they are joining it just for the greed and for the sake of power,” she said.

“But remember one thing, Congress can never be finished. It has a history of 150 years. During these times we won, we lost, we went to jails and we also enjoyed power, but there is none who can finish the Congress,” Alva asserted.

(With PTI inputs)