NEW DELHI: By talking about love and communal harmony, employment revolution, farmers’ issues, Rajasthan deputy chief minister and state Congress president Sachin Pilot is attempting to change the poll narrative.
The 41-year-old Deputy Chief Minister of the state according to The Indian Express report, accusing the BJP of polarising castes and communities and is focusing on propagating a message of love and harmony between “36 quam (communities)” which is evident in his rallies during his campaign trail.
Taking the microphone, Pilot says, “A situation of confrontation has been created in the society. There is talk of emotional issues to mislead the people. What does Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (Yogi Adityanath) talk about in his speeches? Ali and Bajrangbali. You have to realise the seriousness of these elections. Modi sahib was in Rajasthan and he will not tell why a gas cylinder sells for Rs 1,000. He will talk of Hindu Muslim, mandir-masjid, and Hindustan Pakistan because he has now understood that farmers are committing suicide, there is a downturn in every economic sector, youths are not getting employment… You have to use your vote wisely.”
“This is a land of the brave. People of all castes and communities have lived with love and harmony. Hence, we are working against the politics of BJP leaders, who are trying to create a conflict between people,” he adds.
A suave, urbane and charismatic leader who is equally at ease with rural masses as in TV debates, Pilot highlighted the “agrarian distress” and unemployment as key issues during the campaign.
Pilot, who played a crucial role in the party returning to power also accused the NDA government of “going back on its promises”.
“People will vote on issues that matter to them in daily life. I think this sort of rhetoric will not cut any ice,” Pilot tells The Indian Express, adding, “when the SC and EC have clearly said that religion and armed forces must not be a part of the political narrative then people in high position must take cognisance and I think he and the government are answerable on the issue of development.”
Son of former union minister Rajesh Pilot, Sachin is a prominent next-generation leader who has an easy connect with people and is approachable and affable.