Pilot supporters want him as Rajasthan CM

Supporters of state Congress President Sachin Pilot on Friday took to the streets demanding that he be named as Rajasthan's next Chief Minister.

Pilot supporters, particularly from the Gujjar community, blocked a road in Nathni Ka Bara in Alwar district. But the protest ended following the intervention of senior Gujjar leaders.

The community members also staged a protest in Rajakheda near Dholpur. On Thursday, protests wwre staged in Dausa and Karauli.

Speaking to IANS, a senior Gujjar leader, Himmat Singh, said the delay in announcing a Chief Minister was splitting the party -- into Gehlot and Pilot camps.

He said the Gujjar community had seen Pilot working very hard to galvanize the Congress since it lost power five years ago and now Gujjars were upset that he was being denied his due.

NSUI state President Abhimanyu Puniya also backed Pilot. He threatened district level protests if Pilot was not appointed as Chief Minister.

Hanuman Beniwal, leader of the newly launched Rashtriya Loktantrik Party which won three seats in the Assembly, is also backing Pilot.

He warned that if Gehlot was made the Chief Minister, Congress President Rahul Gandhi would never be able to become the Prime Minister.

--IANS

arc/mr