Panel formed to probe Mera Booth Mera Gaurav fracas in Shahpura

In the midst of polls favouring the possibility of Congress party’s return in Rajasthan in the upcoming assembly elections and the infighting within party rank and file, Pradesh Congress Committee President Sachin Pilot offered his feedback on the state unit to party president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday. He was accompanied by the state in-charge Avinash Pandey who was pained to see the party leaders fighting it out in a free-for-all in public events in Shahpura and Jaipur.

Following the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, the state unit constituted a committee to probe the shameful incident at Shahpura that saw two of party’s chieftains slugging out in the public. The fracas at Shahpura saw the AICC national spokesperson Sandeep Singh Choudhary manhandled by supporters of Alok Beniwal, former contestant from the constituency. Chaudhary is believed to be exploring the idea of contesting the polls from the same seat. Similar confrontation was reported from Nokha as well. 

Pandey said that a panel has been set up to probe the incident that took place during the ‘Mera Booth Mera Gaurav’ program at Shahpura. He said that action will be taken on the recommendation of the committee regardless of the people involved in the episode. He added that such incidents at the time of elections are unfortunate and assured that a strong message will be given to the party workers so that such indiscipline is not repeated.

After his meeting with Gandhi, Pilot said that he has discussed the road map of upcoming elections with the AICC president. “We have updated him about the campaign on ‘Mera Booth Mera Gaurav’ programme in Rajasthan,” he said. Sources said that Pilot also gave him the feedback on organizational work at the grass-roots. Rahul Gandhi’s Rajasthan visit was also discussed during the meeting. According to sources, there was a discussion about the formation of the committees in the state. It is now expected that the committees will be announced soon. In response to the comment by Cabinet Minister Prabhu Lal Saini, Pilot questioned the BJP failure to appoint a president since last 40 days.  

The incident

 The Congress leaders and workers altercated with each other at separate events of MBMG programme in Shahpura and public protest against fuel hike at the New Gate in Jaipur. The fracas saw the AICC national spokesperson SS Choudhary at the receiving end of supporters of Alok Beniwal, former contestant from the constituency.