Rahul Gandhi to launch poll campaign in Rajasthan this month

Jaipur, Aug 10: Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Rajasthan this month to launch the party's election campaign in the state that goes to polls later this year.

Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot said though Gandhi's programme is not yet finalised, he is likely to visit the state after Parliament's Monsoon Session wraps up.

"The party president's programme will be finalised very soon and he may visit the state after August 10," Pilot told reporters at the Congress headquarters here today.

"The preparations of the Congress party for the elections are in full swing and we are in a position, from block to state level, to not only challenge, but to defeat the BJP," he said.

Taking a jibe at Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Pilot said she should undertake a 'Jawabdehi (accountability) Yatra' instead of her proposed 'Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra', which will be flagged off by BJP president Amit Shah on August 4 from Rajsamand district.

"She was away from the people of the state for the last four years and now she is trying to get in touch with them, but the public has rejected her. She should answer the public's questions instead of only communicating with the party workers," he said.

The Rajasthan Congress chief also condemned Raje's statement during an interview with a news channel wherein she blamed the incidents of lynching on people's anger over lack of jobs and their circumstances.

"She has only exposed the reality about lack of jobs and people's frustration under the BJP rule by making such an irresponsible statement," he said.

Speaking about the recent controversy over the Congress' chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections, Pilot said his focus was to ensure the party's victory in the state.

"People are looking at the Congress with hope and my aim is to make sure that the party wins the election. Leaders and workers have collectively worked hard for the party for years," Pilot said.

He said he was making all efforts, despite challenges, to revive and strengthen the party in the state. The controversy erupted last week when party leader Lalchand Kataria said former chief minister Ashok Gehlot should be projected as the chief ministerial candidate to save the Congress in Rajasthan.

Gehlot has been the chief minister of Rajasthan for two terms. However, Gehlot said no one should project himself as the chief ministerial candidate as it is against the party's tradition.

PTI