Pilot a novice in politics: Raje

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today said Congress leader Sachin Pilot had "no knowledge" about the culture and traditions of Rajasthan and he was a "novice" in state politics.

This was the first time that Raje has trained her guns on the state Congress chief in her ongoing "Gaurav Yatra", shifting her target from former chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

Addressing a rally in Jaitaran town of Pali disitrict in the second leg of the yatra, Raje advised Pilot to know the state first and question her afterwards. "Pilot is just a novice in the politics. He is neither aware of the culture of the state nor its traditions," the chief minister said, adding that she was the "bahu" of the state and "well-aware" of it and its culture.

The BJP leader, who reached Jaitaran from Jodhpur by a helicopter amid heavy rains, first paid obeisance to the Jain saint Roopmuni at Paavan Dham.

Citing the incidents of stone pelting on the yatra in Osain and Pipar, Raje said, "Congress is denying its hand in the attack on us, but everybody knows that who was behind it. They have humiliated the people of state and not me, Raje said.

Attacking Gehlot, Raje said he came twice in the assembly, but never spoke anything about the state or any of its issues related to the people of the state.

Addressing another rally at Sojat, Raje countered allegations of wastage of money in the yatra. "We have brought the state out of the ignominious tag of sick state and this has brought 'gaurav' (pride). In order to celebrate this 'gaurav', we have been carrying out the 'Gaurav Yatra'."