JAIPUR, JUN 19 (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Friday accused the Centre of attempting to create a “manufactured mandate” to push its political agenda, saying that such efforts were an insult to people’s verdict and contrary to democratic values.
Pilot, a Congress general secretary and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister, said the BJP had received a mandate to govern but not a two-thirds majority.
“People gave the BJP a mandate to run the government, but not a two-thirds majority. Attempting to artificially create such a mandate is against democratic values,” he said in a statement.
He alleged that efforts were being made to reintroduce the Delimitation Bill.
“Trying to bring back a Bill that had already fallen, through a ‘manufactured mandate’, is an attempt to fulfil a political agenda that the people have not endorsed,” Pilot said.
He claimed that attempts to influence constitutional processes by “breaking political parties and shifting MPs” would not be accepted by people.
Raising concerns over the delimitation process, Pilot said it must follow a defined constitutional framework.
“There is a laid-down constitutional process for delimitation. First, a census should be conducted, then a commission constituted, and only thereafter should the process move forward,” he said.
Carrying out delimitation without following due procedure would be “unlawful, unethical and unconstitutional”, he said, alleging that such moves were aimed at achieving political objectives.
“People of the country are watching and understanding the methods being adopted to pursue political agendas,” the Congress leader said.
Pilot also extended birthday greetings to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying that Gandhi continues to stand with the youth during challenging times. He also attended a programme at the party headquarters in Jaipur to mark Gandhi’s birthday.
Pilot later participated in a mega job fair organised by the Youth Congress and a blood donation camp by NSUI, terming the initiatives positive and commendable.
