New Delhi: In an exclusive interview with NDTV Townhall (In Partnership With Twitter India), Sachin Pilot discussed the upcoming Rajasthan polls. Both Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot will contest the December 7 Rajasthan election, it was revealed in a joint press conference by the two Congress leaders amid reports of a widening rift in the party.
Who among the two would contest the election has been the subject of much speculation in the run-up to the polls. Both are seen as the Congress's candidates for chief minister; the party hopes to win back the BJP-ruled state riding on what it sees as anti-incumbency.
The Congress in Rajasthan is deeply divided between factions loyal to Ashok Gehlot, the veteran, and 41-year-old Sachin Pilot, representing a younger leadership.
The party was seen to be reluctant to field either of them, if only to avoid the inevitable tussle for the top post if it does win.
Here are the highlights of the event:
Nov 14, 2018 20:04 (IST)
Sachin Pilot ended on the note that no matter who becomes the chief minister in Rajasthan, Congress, if voted to power, will work on agrarian crisis and job creation.
Nov 14, 2018 20:03 (IST)
Q: Two good things about Vasundhara Raje that she has done for Rajasthan...
Mr Pilot: First, she has shown Amit Shah his place. Second, she has been an MP, MLA, Chief Minister... in her party, she is a great contributor.
Nov 14, 2018 20:02 (IST)
Q: How will Congress counter fake news?
Mr Pilot: We need the help of people too. People who come across fake news should kill it.
Nov 14, 2018 20:02 (IST)
Q: Is mandir-masjid politics right way to woo voters?
Mr Pilot: I think politics and religion are two separate matters. But it's very evident... when a congress leader goes to a holy site, the BJP clearly has a problem...
Nov 14, 2018 20:01 (IST)
Q: Don't you think education is precursor to job creation?
Mr Pilot: There has to be an interaction between industry and academics is far needed.
Nov 14, 2018 20:01 (IST)
On inclusion, he says, "The sense of inclusion is far more in Congress that in any another party. This is evident in 130 years of our history... But yes, we should always reach out."
Nov 14, 2018 20:00 (IST)
Sachin Pilot says if the government of the day cannot provide health and infrastructure, why is the government even there? Also, NGOs should feel a part of the growth... That's how healthy democracies work.
Nov 14, 2018 19:59 (IST)
Q. But Vasundhara Raje could say we have been doing work...
Mr Pilot: But where are the results?
Q. But thats the story across India...
Mr Pilot: But we promise to deliver.
Nov 14, 2018 19:53 (IST)
Q: What do you think of PM Modi's acclaimed speeches?
Mr Pilot: He is a great orator. But after a time, people want results, and that's not happening.
Nov 14, 2018 19:52 (IST)
Sachin Pilot also said that for a decade he has been working on the issue of malnourishment and that will be a major focus.
Nov 14, 2018 19:51 (IST)
On Congress losing out on social media game, Mr Pilot said they can't put in too many funds.
On Rajasthan having no youth policy, he said, only policies cannot help and if the party comes to power they will empower and motivate the youth.
Nov 14, 2018 19:47 (IST)
Q: Why hasn't Congress come out strongly against lynching?
Mr Pilot: I have personally met at least two families affected... Can't say about Rahul Gandhi.
Nov 14, 2018 19:47 (IST)
Q. Are you worried about caste polarisation...
Mr Pilot: Yes, but people after voting for BJP have realised that voting on basis of caste did not help. We have a woman chief minister but 8-10 rapes reported everyday.
Nov 14, 2018 19:46 (IST)
Sachin Pilot on reservation: The issues today will end when demand and supply matches. We cannot deprive the lesser privileged of of their rights. Let's not forget we are the fortunate ones. We have to bring the lesser privileged to the mainstream.
Nov 14, 2018 19:45 (IST)
Q. But don't you think if BJP is sticking to divisive agenda, isn't Congress lowering the discourse with "Chowkidar chor hai" jibe?
Mr Pilot: Rahul Gandhi did not name anybody. There are millions of chowkidars in this country. But yes the level of discourse should be maintained.
Nov 14, 2018 19:44 (IST)
Q- Last time, BJP swept the polls...
Mr Pilot- Yes, PM Modi is a formidable opponent. But when he comes to Rajasthan, he will be accountable to people. Vasundhara Raje made over 600 promises. Did she deliver? Isn't he accountable?
Nov 14, 2018 19:43 (IST)
Q. But you have been given generic response on jobs creation...
Mr Pilot: Why are you undermining the power of automation and technology? That's what we are promising. He says they will create an ecosystem that people can get jobs.
In the last five years of my interaction with people of the state, we have come across the dissatisfaction among people. The state has to work on job creations, working on backlogs.
