Former Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee President Sachin Pilot spoke to The Indian Express ahead of the Congress’ three-day contemplation camp in Udaipur, Rajasthan. During this, he discussed many issues related to the party and the roadmap of the Congress for the future.
In the past few years, the Congress, despite its defeat in elections, has remained in the shackles of complacency. In such a situation, to what extent will this contemplation camp fix everything? In response to this question, Sachin Pilot said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s basic reason for organizing Nav Sankalp Chintan Shivir is to show that the party can emerge as an alternative to BJP. All these will be discussed in the next three days, he said.
50 percent of members under 40: A section of Congress workers is demanding greater representation of youth in the party. In response, he said that about 430 people are coming to the camp, out of which 50 percent representatives are below 40 years of age. In such a situation, the arrival of 50 percent of the members below 40 years of age in the camp reflects the mentality behind party president Sonia Gandhi’s work towards the youth leadership.
Sachin Pilot said that we want to give an alternative governance model so that people know where Congress stands on issues affecting the common man. On the question related to Prashant Kishor, Pilot said that every Congressman wants the party to be successful in the elections and I think 2024 is not far away.
Will move forward with new energy and vigor: The Congress leader said that for the next two years, in whichever state elections are held, we want to do our best. “I think the Congress leadership is very open-minded in discussing, debating and considering what should be done,” he said. Sachin Pilot claimed that after the end of Chintan Shivir, we will move forward with a new energy and renewed vigor to counter the political forces challenging us.
Big changes expected in Congress: What major changes can be expected in the Congress after the camp? Responding to this question, Sachin Pilot said that after deliberations, the party will declare on May 15 what exactly happened and what we agreed to. But the basic purpose of convening the camp and forming 6 committees is that what is going wrong? What will be our alternative governance structure? And how do we move things forward?
On whether people vote for BJP, Sachin Pilot said that just because BJP wins some elections, it does not mean that all their sins are washed away. The farmers protested for a year and a half and committed suicide. Has he apologized to the farmers? BJP is crushing farmers and youth and all kinds of restrictions are being imposed. I think winning an election doesn’t give them the license to do what they want.