Jaipur, Jul 14 (IANS): Three Rajasthan Congress MLAs -- Vishvendra Singh, Ramesh Meena and Deepender Shekhawat from the Sachin Pilot camp, issued a joint statement on Tuesday saying that they were seeking to restore their self respect and are not clamouring for any posts and positions contrary to false reports in the media. Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena were removed from the cabinet on Tuesday.

In a joint statement, they said, "We have for years worked with dedication, devotion and service towards the party. And we are taking a stand to protect our dignity and self respect at a time when our leader is threatened with notices from the SOG under the charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy. This is unprecedented in Indian democracy and the Congress party, for whom we have toiled with sweat and blood."

Under the leadership of Sachin Pilot, we have made every effort in the past 6 years to strengthen the party and bring it to power in Rajasthan at a time when it had been reduced to an insignificant number in the state assembly. Public humiliation of our leader Pilot is something that is totally unacceptable to us, and those responsible for this treatment need to be made accountable.

"We are seeking to restore our self respect and are not clamouring for any posts and positions contrary to false reports in the media. We have been senior members of the party for many years and have held many positions within the party and the government and are not lured by inducements, they said.

Rebel Sachin Pilot has also been removed from the cabinet as well as Pradesh Congress Committee president post. The decision was taken in the Congress Legislature Party meet on Tuesday morning.