Vasundhara Raje, a senior BJP politician, has responded angrily to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s assertion that she and two other BJP leaders assisted in saving his administration from Sachin Pilot’s uprising in 2020. She referred to his assertions as “an insult” and “a conspiracy” and urged Mr. Gehlot to submit a First Information Report if he had proof that his MLAs had taken bribes.
Late this evening, Ms. Raje responded to his accusations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a statement. She continued by saying that Mr. Gehlot had made fun of her “like no one else in Rajasthan”.
In light of the upcoming elections in the state later this year, Mr. Gehlot’s remarks today are seen as a double-edged blade that criticise Ms. Raje. It is also addressed at Sachin Pilot and his supporters, who could contest his claim to the top position in Rajasthan in the event that the Congress wins.
Sachin Pilot, Mr Gehlot’s deputy at the time, and his 18 followers had overthrown him in a coup in July 2020. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, two prominent Congressmen, intervened to end the crisis that had lasted for a month. Later, Mr Pilot lost his positions as state Congress president and deputy chief minister.
Speaking today in Dholpur, Ms Raje’s home turf, Mr Gehlot said his government could be saved through the support of Vasundhara Raje, former assembly speaker Kailash Meghwal and MLA Shobharani Kushwah.
He attributed the rebellion in the Congress to a BJP plot. “(Union ministers) Amit Shah, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Dharmendra Pradhan conspired together to topple my government,” he was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India.
“They distributed money in Rajasthan and they are not taking the money back now. I am surprised why they are not demanding the money back from them (the MLAs),” Mr Gehlot said.
He also made fun of the rebellious Congress MLAs, telling them to pay back the money so they could perform their duties unhindered. Even more, he stated, “I have told the MLAs that whatever money they have taken, whether it be 10 crore or 20 crore, if you have spent anything, I will give that part or I will get it from AICC (All India Congress Committee)”.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, a Union Minister, also criticised Mr. Gehlot and referred to him as “Liar Number One.”
In response to the Chief Minister’s claim that Congress MLAs were promised millions of dollars to change their allegiance, Mr. Shekhawat tweeted, “(Ashok) Gehlot is number one liar! Why didn’t he file cases against those who stole crores if he is being so honest? In order to win this internal Congress battle, Mr. Gehlot is employing all unscrupulous strategies.
Even while Mr. Gehlot and Ms. Raje are viewed as fierce political opponents, their critics claim that they constantly “go soft” on one another, particularly when it comes to accusations of corruption. The accusations have been refuted by both leaders.
