Mine scam, Lalit Modi, liquor mafia... Here is why Sachin Pilot protests against Ashok Gehlot

Sachin Pilot sat on a day-long fast to demand action in alleged corruption cases in previous BJP government in Rajasthan.

The Congress leadership in Rajasthan is again divided as Sachin Pilot sat on a day-long hunger strike on April 11 against chief minister Ashok Gehlot for not taking action against the alleged corruption during the Vasundhara Raje government.

Pilot started his agitation a year after he first shot a letter to Ashok Gehlot on March 28, 2022, demanding action against people who were involved in corrupt practises in the previous regime of the BJP.

After ending his fast, the former deputy chief minister repeatedly mentioned his letter and alleged there was no response from the chief minister’s office.

“I believe we have a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. After six months we have an election in the state, when will the chief minister initiate the action?” questioned Pilot.

In his letter, Pilot had also written, “Credibility should also be protected. If allegations are made only for taking electoral benefits, then the public loses faith in the politicians.”

Here’s the list of allegations, Pilot mentioned in his five-page letter.

“While being in the opposition, the Congress raised its voice against the corruption of the then BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje, you and I had continuously assured the people that these cases would be investigated fairly and effectively when the Congress comes to power, as a result of which the public supported us,” reads Pilot’s letter.

Pilot has also expressed disappointment that after the formation of Congress's government, no concrete, effective and transparent action was taken against the corrupt people.

Pilot had also given details of the alleged corruption cases.

“Mine scam”

“In the year 2014-15, a mine scam of Rs 45 thousand crores came to light. Along with you, all the senior Congress leaders met the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and demanded action. In this regard, the Hon'ble High Court serious comments were also made on the dubious functioning of the government. Congress had strongly raised its voice in the house and outside the house to get the matter investigated by the CBI, but after coming into the government, the matter has not yet been resolved. The investigation has not been handed over to the CBI,” Pilot mentions in the letter.

“Liquor mafia”

“Allegations of Vasundhara Raje ji's connivance with liquor and land mafia and corruption worth crores of rupees were leveled several times by you in the last assembly elections and after that as well. You had also clearly said in press conferences and election meetings that the money coming from illegal mining is reaching the top leadership of the BJP through Raje ji. Even after such serious allegations, no action has been taken by our government against the real culprits of the mafia loot that took place during the tenure of the then government,” writes Pilot.

“Lalit Modi absconding”

Pilot has also written in his letter that there were serious corruption charges against the former chief minister Vasundhara Raje in absconding former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi from the country.

He says, “Raje became a confidential witness on Lalit Modi's immigration-related documents and also put a condition that this information should not be given to any Indian agency. There were serious allegations of corruption, violation of rules and misuse of position in this entire episode. Even in such a serious matter, our government has not been able to take any concrete action.”

“Theft of Iranian carpets ”

Pilot has alleged that during the chief ministership of Vasundhara Raje, the case of theft of Iranian carpets from Khasa Kothi in Jaipur was in limelight and a case was registered by the Public Works Department.

“Despite the formation of two Congress governments after that, to date, we have failed to tell the public where did those carpets go? Who is responsible for the disappearance of priceless carpets? The investigation of all these is still pending,” Pilot mentions.