Pilot expresses solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, says pressure on people who expose those in power

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday targeted the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, saying there is a «conspiracy» to put pressure on people who advocate democracy and expose those in power. The former Rajasthan deputy chief minister took part in a silent protest organised by the Congress to express solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, who has been disqualified from Parliament after his conviction in a defamation case. The Congress on Wednesday held similar protests at several places in the country, days after the Gujarat High Court refused to stay the conviction. On the sidelines of the Jaipur protest, Pilot claimed investigative agencies are being misused by the Centre and there is an environment of hatred and confrontation in the country. He said party leader Rahul Gandhi talks about affection, non-violence and strengthening of democracy, but is still being targeted.

Congress will fight unitedly in Rajasthan: K C Venugopal

«We are not going to back down and will put forth our views firmly. We will face them (the BJP) on all fronts,» he told reporters. The party will reach out to people as they and their vote are the «biggest power in a democracy», he said. He said the Congress will win the coming elections in the state if the leaders fight it together, and claimed there is infighting in the state BJP. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot, who have been fighting for supremacy in Rajasthan, appeared to have patched up their differences at a recent meeting with the party's central leadership in Delhi. When asked about the meeting, Pilot said all leaders present there thought that the Congress will return to power in the state. He maintained that the ruling party will break the trend in the