Pilot’s supporters unleash violence and demolish public properties in Rajasthan

As the Congress party takes time to decide the next CM of Rajasthan, the law and order situation in the state has kept deteriorating. The supporters of Sachin Pilot are getting increasingly agitated over the delay in the decision.

On Thursday, his supporters blocked a key road in Karuali, damaged a highway bus in Dausa, and burnt tyers while demanding to declare the name of Sachin Pilot for the post of Chief Minister. His supporters also blocked Jaipur-Ajmer highway for some time and attempts were made to block traffic on other roads as well. Thousands of trucks, commercial vehicles, and private vehicles were halted because of these protests. The police said in most of the cases the protestors were from Pilot’s Gurjar community.

The PTI has quoted state secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Yuva Gurjar Mahasabha, Sugar Singh saying, “We want Sachin Pilot as the next chief minister of Rajasthan. The party high command should declare his name as soon as possible.”

The Indian Express has quoted a member of Gurjar community saying, “It is not acceptable to us if someone reaps the reward of someone else’s hard work. We believe in Pilot sahab. He transmitted a new energy across youths of the state.”

This is what happens when there are two power centres in the party. This appears to be the real face of Congress party where no discipline prevails. Abraham Lincoln has rightly said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” All these violent protests show the true character of the Congress party and its supporters. Its supporters are running amok damaging public and private property. There is a fear that the lawlessness can spread to other parts of Rajasthan.

The protests prompted Sachin Pilot to issue an appeal on Twitter. He tweeted, “I appeal to party workers to maintain peace and decorum. I have full faith in the leadership, we will welcome whatever Rahul Gandhi ji and Sonia Gandhi ji decide. It is our responsibility to uphold the honour of the party, we are dedicated to the party.”

However, an emotional appeal does not seem to be helping the case. The Congress party is solely responsible for the loss caused to public and private properties. Criminal elements that resorted to such vandalism must be taken to task. If the party is unable to control its party cadres, it would certainly not be able to provide a stable government to the state.

Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot are vying for the CM Post in the state where the Congress somehow managed to defeat the BJP. The Congress has a wafer-thin majority in the politically crucial Rajasthan. This ongoing infighting for the post of CM might hurt the party’s political prospect in the state in the days to come. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a tug-of-war between Congress leaders in the various states will exacerbate things for the party in next elections.