He said that wherever possible, the Congress and its government in the state would give full opportunity to the Dalits to progress.
Attacking the Center over inflation, rise in fuel prices, unemployment and other issues, former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said the government has “betrayed” the country in every field.
Addressing a Dalit convention at Chaksu near Jaipur, Mr. Pilot said that in the last seven years, “the BJP government ruined the economy, unemployment reached a historic peak, petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders became costly. And inflation skyrocketed.”
On this occasion, Dr. B.R. A statue of Ambedkar was also unveiled.
Mr Pilot alleged that the government sprinkled salt on the wound by introducing three agricultural laws. The Congress leader said that since a year there is opposition to the laws in the whole country.
He said that wherever possible, the Congress and its government in the state would give full opportunity to the Dalits to progress.
Mr Pilot also expressed hope that a member of the community would be inducted as a cabinet minister in the state government in place of Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal, who passed away last year while being the minister for social justice and empowerment.
The former Deputy Chief Minister said that Meghwal, who died due to brain hemorrhage, worked and raised his voice for the Dalits.
“He was a cabinet minister in our government. This place is now vacant and I am confident that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the (Rajasthan) government will soon offer a cabinet rank to a member of the Dalit community,” Mr Pilot said.
This was the first time Mr Pilot, who had revolted against the leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot last year, has said something about the cabinet. The demand for cabinet reshuffle in the state is being made for the last several months.
Without naming anyone, the Congress leader warned those doing politics and seeking votes in the name of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, but he has no attachment to them.
“Those who did not see Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, are worshiping him for votes and power. They are doing this under your pressure. This should not be forgotten. These people are experts in hypocrisy, they have no attachment to Ambedkar, but when it comes to getting votes and when it comes to governance and throne, they can worship anyone. They are ‘beharupiyas’ (impressionists),” he said.
Chief Minister Gehlot, AICC General Secretary Ajay Maken and Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra were also invited to the event organized by Ved Prakash Solanki, a Chaksu MLA who is considered close to Mr Pilot. However, these invitees missed the event.
CM Gehlot was busy in the meeting regarding the review of seasonal diseases.
Mr Pilot said that these leaders were invited but they could not attend due to various reasons.
“I know that our party and the government are engaged in the work of development and welfare of Dalits,” he said.
Recently, Chief Minister Gehlot and Mr. Pilot along with Mr. Maken and Mr. Dotasara traveled in a helicopter to address public meetings in Vallabhnagar (Udaipur) and Dhariyawad (Pratapgarh) assembly constituencies where by-elections are being held on October 30. The second occasion when they traveled together after last year’s Rajasthan political crisis.
Mr Pilot said that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raise voice for Dalits, farmers etc in Delhi, UP and any other state.
“Priyanka Gandhi reaches there whenever there is atrocities against women”, he said, adding that he assured on Tuesday that 40 per cent tickets would be given to women candidates in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Talking about the statue of Dr. Ambedkar, he said that it is the tallest statue of Dalit statue in Rajasthan which is made of ‘ashtadhatu’.
He said that the program has been formally organized by taking everyone along and in a disciplined manner.
All India Congress Committee secretary Tarun Kumar, MLA Murli Lal Meena, GR Khatana, Inder Meena, Prashant Bairwa, Amar Singh Jatav and other leaders were present in the program organized by Mr. Pilot’s loyalist and Chaksu MLA Solanki on Valmiki Jayanti.
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