Pilot dares Yogi to campaign for Yoonus Khan in Tonk

I am fighting for the development and against ideology: Pilot

Claiming his electoral fight with Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) candidate Yoonus Khan as a battle of ideologies and not of individuals state Congress chief Sachin Pilot promises development job and upliftment of Tonk during his campaign trails.

While seeking votes in the sabha's at Tonk city and villages, 41-year-old Congress leader who will be contesting his maiden assembly elections believes development is above religion. Pilot who is fighting his debut assembly election and that too from a seat outside his regular parliamentary constituency, is drawing massive crowds at meetings in urban as well as rural areas and is convoy is forced to stop every now and then by people wishing to garland him and those raising slogans in his support.

Sachin Pilot in Jan sabha in Tonk
(Courtesy: Suman Sarkar)

The city is also abuzz with talk of a CM probable contesting from this town, who is his supporters feel could usher in major development works in the city which lags behind in infrastructure and facilities. "We believe that he will change the face of Tonk. The city has been neglected in the past. We need good infrastructure and railway connectivity", Abdul Haque, a city dweller told DH.

Pilot who is campaigning through the state and his own constituency tonk doesn't fail to connect with people. While some BJP leaders have called the Congress a ‘barat’ without a groom, unaffected by the criticism made by opposition Sachin Pilot is seen riding a mare. People in villages welcomed Pilot in novel ways -- from making him ride a bullock cart and a rath to weighing him with fruits.

Congress leader who is campaigning in Tonk in every alternate day prefers to sip tea at a roadside and have meals while connecting with the people. While walking down to the venue he his seen sharing a rapport with the villagers playing dhol, bursting crackers and shouting slogans. At most of his sabhas, Pilot was weighed with apples and bananas by villagers, which are then distributed among them. At an evening gathering in the Tonk city organised by Bairwa community which falls in SC Pilot flayed the government over issues like unemployment, corruption, and farmer suicides.

While speaking to DH on the campaign trails in Tonk Sachin Pilot who is confident of winning with heavy margin said, "I believe in people of Tonk. Now this is my constituency and i will make things better here. People from all communities are giving me overwhelming support because they know Congress is any day better than BJP".

Will Yogi campaign for a Muslim candidate in Tonk?

Sachin Pilot garlanded by his supporters in his constituency Tonk.
(Photo courtesy: Suman Sarkar)

When asked about fighting with the only BJP's Muslim candidate, Pilot added, "I am not fighting against any religion I am fighting to make Tonk developed. BJP is polarising voters across the state but I challenge them to bring Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to Tonk to seek votes for Yoonus Khan (their only Muslim face)".

Pilot is often seen making this comment in most of his gatherings in Tonk 'Whether Yogi Adityanath, known for his speeches with Hindutva overtones, will come to Tonk to ask for votes for Khan or not'?

Rajasthan will go to polls on December 7 and counting will be held on December 11.