Jaipur: Amid war of words between factions of Rajasthan Congress, veteran leader and Sachin Pilot’s close associate Deependra Singh Shekhawat has discarded the reports of any bargaining regarding cabinet expansion and political appointments in the state.
He said, “These reports of a bargain going on for number of positions in the cabinet, boards and corporation are absolutely false. Pilot and all of us have been striving to seek honour and self respect for the grassroots Congress workers in Rajasthan."
Deependra Singh who was Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly during last tenure of Ashok Gehlot has criticized the appointments of bureaucrats on the posts where Congress workers were hoping to get a chance. In a statement he said, "Political appointments should be given to those that have carried the burden of making the Congress win at the polling booths and not cherry-picked retired bureaucrats and officers whose loyalties are temporary, at best."
Shekhawt said that those individuals that valiantly took on the wrath of BJP governments of Vasundhara Raje and Modi from 2014 onwards, gave their sweat and blood to revive the Congress after it suffered its worst-ever defeat in 2013 - getting only 21 seats out of 200 - need to get adequate recognition and respect now that we are the party in power.
Shekhawat expressed full faith in commitment made by the high command to address all issues raised by Pilot faction.
In the meantime, Sachin Pilot has returned to Jaipur after his much-hyped tour of Delhi. His supporters had great expectations from this Delhi tour, but reports say that they will have to wait for some more time.