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Tag: ashok gehlot

  • Captain Amarinder Singh’s fate has left Ashok Gehlot worried about his own: Satish Poonia

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: After Capt Amarinder Singh quit as the Punjab chief minister, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is worried about his own fate, state BJP president Satish Poonia said on Sunday.

    “The developments in Punjab show that even senior Congress leaders are disillusioned with the party. The Congress is counting last breaths and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is more worried about his chair,” he told reporters here.

    Poonia said whether the Rajasthan Cabinet reshuffle will ever take place has become a Rs 1 crore question of Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’.

    “There is neither an answer to it nor will people be able to get a reward,” he said.

    He also accused the Congress of lacking intra-party democracy.

    Talking about his own party, Poonia said the BJP is to hold a brainstorming session soon to discuss the strategy for the 2023 assembly elections.

    “The focus of the ‘Chintan Baithak’ will be on the strategy for the 2023 assembly elections. Apart from it, discussions on such social and political issues, on which there is a need to work more proactively, will be held,” he said.

    The party sources said the meeting will be held in Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand district on September 21 and 22, which will be chaired by the party’s national general secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh.

    The state office bearers of the party and core group members will attend the meeting.

  • After Capt Amarinder Singh, clock ticking for Gehlot, Baghel?

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: With a tough stand taken by party high command to end power tussle in Punjab, the focus will now be to settle internal feud in two other Congress-ruled states – Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – where the party is facing similar trouble over power-sharing.

    A senior Congress leader said that the decision taken by party high command asking Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to step down is a signal to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel who are entwined in similar battles in respective states.  Like Punjab, the party has been trying, by all means, to amicably settle the differences between leadership but may have to end up taking an adverse stand if nothing works.   

    There has been growing trouble between Gehlot and former Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot, who has been pushing for a change of guards. A temporary truce formula was worked out between the two after a botched coup attempt by Pilot in 2020. 

    ALSO READ | Change of guard in offing in Punjab? CM Amarinder Singh asked to step down

    “Gehlot has been not agreeing to the formula of cabinet expansion to induct MLAs from Pilot’s camp and on other posts. This is when several missives have been sent to him and the central team has visited the state. He is not even coming to Delhi, citing some or other reasons. The next focus in coming days will be on Rajasthan to settle troubles in the state,” said sources.

    Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of Rajasthan, Friday said that the roadmap for cabinet expansion in the state is ready and has been delayed due to Gehlot’s health, who recently underwent angioplasty.   

    The party high command is also keeping an eye on issues in Chhattisgarh where Baghel and his cabinet minister TS Singh Deo are at crossroads over the change of guards. Former Congress chief Rahu Gandhi has held a series of meetings with both the leaders over the promise of rotational CM made to Deo at the time of government formation in 2017.

    “Baghel has been given a lifeline for time being and Deo has been assured that the promise of rotational CM will be fulfilled. We may see some progress in this regard after the assembly elections,” said another party leader.    

  • ‘Hope to soon start working’: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot shares health update post angioplasty

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who recently underwent angioplasty, on Thursday said he hoped to soon start working as before.

    In a tweet, he said at present, he is working as per the advice of doctors. “Vinay Behl, former head of the Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, New Delhi and my cardiologist in the national capital, met at the chief minister’s residence on Wednesday,” Gehlot said in another tweet in Hindi.

    He said that Behl discussed about his treatment with SMS Medical College principal Sudhir Bhandari along with the team of Rajiv Bagratta, Sohan Sharma, Anoop Jain and Vijay Pathak.

    उन्होंने SMS मेडिकल कॉलेज के प्रिंसिपल सुधीर भंडारी के साथ जयपुर में उपचार करने वाली टीम डॉ. राजीव बगरत्ता, डॉ. सोहन शर्मा डॉ. अनूप जैन एवं डॉ. विजय पाठक से चर्चा की।
    — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) September 16, 2021
    “Behl expressed satisfaction on seeing the test reports and expressed happiness over the timely treatment by the SMS team. According to the advice of doctors, I am currently working and I hope that I will soon start working as before,” the CM said in a series of tweets.

    The 70-year-old Congress leader underwent angiolplasty, a procedure to clear blocked arteries, last month.

  • Pilot’s birthday bash amid Congress’ defeat in rural polls adds to Rajasthan drama

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  Congress leader and former deputy CM Sachin Pilot’s 44th birthday bash on Tuesday reflected the deep rift within the Rajasthan Congress.

    Sources said a steady stream of supporters flowing into Pilot’s residence sent a strong message to the high command on a day it sought report from the state unit on the shock defeat in the Jaipur Zila Pramukh election.

    Sources said Congress’ shock defeat was engineered by Pilot loyalist Ved Prakash Solanki, who herded the winner Rama Devi to the BJP stables, helping the saffron party to form the board. Solanki was among the 19 MLAs, who had rebelled against Gehlot last year. 

    A group of his supporters, named as Sachin Pilot Fans club, also released a 57-second video clip projecting Pilot as Rajasthan’s future leader and presenting his vision for the state without making any reference to the Ashok Gehlot government.

    The video on the development of Rajasthan reflected Pilot’s aspiration for a larger role in the state.

    It was released on Monday on the eve of his birthday and is being circulated on social media.

    Pilot began his day by offering prayers at ‘Khole ke Hanuman temple’ on the Delhi Road.

    A large number of his supporters from various parts of the state reached his residence and greeted him birthday.

    The civil lines area where Pilot lives got jam-packed as his enthusiastic supporters reached his residence shouting slogans in his support.

    Pilot expressed gratitude to all those who greeted him on his birthday and also issued a video message, thanking them.

    MLAs of the Pilot’s camp including Mukesh Bhakar and other leaders were present at the residence.

    Describing the scene at Pilot’s residence as “amazing”, MLA Bhakar said people from all walks of life and from across the state came to Jaipur to greet Pilot on his birthday.

    “This shows the people’s love towards Pilot, that too when he holds no post,” he said.

    Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, BJP state president Satish Poonia and other leaders too wished Pilot on his birthday.

    “Wishing you a very happy birthday @SachinPilot ji. May you be blessed with happiness, good health and long life,” Gehlot tweeted.

    Pilot’s supporters on Monday had carried out a plantation drive in all 200 assembly constituencies of the state to mark his birthday.

    State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra called Rama Devi’s switch to the BJP an act of backstabbing and expelled her for six years.  Even Gehlot was not amused, saying, “The very people who tried to topple the government are now horse-trading.”

    Though Gehlot and many of his loyalists took to social media to wish him, the happenings in the poll have only added to the bitterness.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • When time comes farmers won’t lag in teaching BJP lesson, says Rajasthan CM

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday hit out at the BJP government at the Centre over the contentious farm laws, saying when the time comes the farmers of the country won’t lag in teaching the saffron party a lesson.

    The crowd that gathered at the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, are fed up with the BJP, he claimed.

    Thousands of farmers gathered on Sunday at a mahapanchayat in Muzaffarnagar, where BKU leader Rakesh Tikait called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders “rioters” and said the party should be given a drubbing in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

    The event was organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to protest the Centre’s controversial farm laws.

    Referring to the panchayat poll results in six districts of Rajasthan, Gehlot claimed it has made clear that there is a lot of resentment against the BJP.

    The panchayat poll results have made it clear that there is a lot of resentment against the BJP among the farmers and they are in the mood to teach the party a lesson, the chief minister said in a tweet.

    The ruling Congress was ahead of the BJP in the panchayat polls in six districts of Rajasthan, securing a majority in four out of six Zila Parishad and bagging 670 of the 1,564 panchayat Samiti seats on Saturday.

    Gehlot said the farmers have fully understood the BJP’s “false promise” of doubling their income by 2022 and attempts to hand over agriculture to big businessmen by imposing anti-farmer agriculture laws without taking the farmers into confidence.

    “The attitude of the NDA government towards the farmers is well known. When the time comes, the farmers of the country will not lag in teaching the BJP a lesson,” he added.

  • Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot stresses on need to follow Covid protocol in schools, colleges

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday stressed on ensuring strict adherence of the standard operating procedures (SOP) related to the pandemic in educational institutions.

    If the SOP and protocol were not followed then there would be a danger of infection among youths, he said.

    Studies in schools for Classes 9 to 12 resumed on Wednesday.

    Government and private schools have opened after more than four months for these classes.

    “Educational institutions have opened in the state. The education of children has affected due to the closure of educational institutions for a long time. It is the responsibility of everyone to strictly follow the SOPs issued for the operation of educational institutions,” Gehlot tweeted.

    He further said, “If SOP and corona protocol are not followed, then there is a risk of infection. So along with studies, take proper care of health and ensure strict adherence to protocol and SOP. Best wishes to all the students and teachers!”

    As per the guidelines issued by the Education Department, 50 per cent students are allowed at a time and all arrangements are to be made as per the Covid protocol.

  • Repeal farm laws, apologise to farmers: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot to Centre 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday asked the Centre to repeal its three farm laws and apologise to farmers for the violence against them in Haryana’s Karnal.

    “The manner in which farmers were attacked in Karnal of Haryana is condemnable.

    With such brutal actions, an atmosphere is being created to instigate farmers across the country,” Gehlot tweeted.

    Around 10 people were injured on Saturday as police allegedly lathi-charged a group of farmers disrupting traffic movement on a national highway while heading towards Karnal to protest against a BJP meeting.

    Gehlot said Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala are giving statements that do not make any sense.

    ALSO READ | Haryana CM Khattar lashes out at Amarinder Singh over farmers’ issues

    He said the Haryana government officials are giving instructions for violent actions against farmers and the entire country is condemning the police lathi-charge at farmers but the Haryana government is taking no action against such officers.

    “The Modi government should not test the farmers’ patience and immediately repeal the agricultural laws and apologise to the farmers,” Gehlot said.

    Enacted in September last year, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell their products anywhere in the country.

    The protesting farmers, however, have expressed fears that the legislation would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

  • Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot expresses serious concern over rising COVID-19 cases in country

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Expressing concern over the increasing rising of corona infection cases in the country, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday appealed to the people to be careful.

    “There has been a steady increase in active cases of corona in India for the last one week. The number of active cases has increased by more than 55,000 in the last seven days. The weekly positivity rate has also increased to 2.41 per cent. The increase in active cases and positivity rate is a matter of concern,” Gehlot said in a tweet.

    भारत में पिछले एक सप्ताह से कोरोना के एक्टिव केसों में लगातार बढ़ोत्तरी हो रही है। पिछले सात दिनों में एक्टिव केसों की संख्या में 55000 से अधिक की वृद्धि हुई है। साप्ताहिक पॉजिटिविटी रेट भी बढ़कर 2.41% हो गई है। एक्टिव केसों एवं पॉजिटिविटी रेट में बढ़ोत्तरी चिंता का विषय है। pic.twitter.com/4fFsZfoHVd
    — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) August 30, 2021
    The chief minister said that the continuous surfacing of a large number of corona cases in Kerala is a serious matter and a night curfew has been imposed in Kerala. “Corona cases have increased rapidly in many countries of the world including America, Israel, Britain, Iran, Malaysia, Philippine and Japan. A complete lockdown has been imposed in New Zealand,” he added.

    “We all need to be careful so that the situation in the state and the country does not deteriorate further and the third wave can be avoided,” Gehlot added. He said the corona infection is a serious disease and many problems occur even after the recovery from it.

    People should not become negligent and strictly follow the health protocol, he added.

  • Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot discharged from hospital after angioplasty

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was discharged from Sawai Man Singh (SMS) hospital on Sunday two days after undergoing an angioplasty.

    Gehlot had underwent angioplasty at hospital here on Friday.

    There was 90 per cent blockage in one of his coronary arteries and a stent was placed successfully.

    The 70-year-old Congress leader has been advised to take rest for the next few days and he will be under the supervision of doctors at his residence.

    ​ALSO READ | Cardiac trouble due to post-Covid complications: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

    While at the hospital, the chief minister met some patients to know about their health and after being discharged, thanked his staff, doctors, and others.

    “I have reached my official residence safely.

    I would like to thank all the staff including all the doctors, nursing staff, ward boys, sweepers of SMS Hospital who took good care of me,” Gehlot tweeted.

    He further said, “I have seen that the hospital staff deserves praise for the effort made in SMS to serve all the patients well.”

    Angioplasty is a procedure to open clogged heart arteries.

    Gehlot had tested positive for coronavirus in April this year and after recovery in May, he was facing post-Covid issues.

    Gehlot had complained of heaviness in his chest and pain in neck following which an ECG was conducted and it was normal.

  • Cardiac trouble due to post-Covid complications: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: A day after undergoing angioplasty, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said he was unable to go among the people during the past several days as he was suffering from post-Covid health issues.

    The 70-year-old Congress leader had tested positive for the viral infection in April and after recovery in May, he faced post-Covid issues.

    Gehlot issued a statement here, saying he was working day and night after recovering from the disease and did not get proper rest.

    “I could not take proper rest as advised by doctors. Due to this, I am having post-Covid problems for so long. This is the reason why in the last several days, I was unable to go among the people of the state,” he said in the statement.

    Gehlot had been targeted by the Opposition for some time for apparently not leaving his residence to meet people.

    The chief minister further said that he did not have cardiac issues before, and as per doctors, it is a post-Covid effect. He also thanked everybody for wishing him good health. Doctors say Covid has varied effects on people.

    It affects organs like the heart, brain, kidney, liver etc. Even after recovering from it, problems like headache, exhaustion and breathlessness persist, and so both Covid and post-Covid should be taken seriously, the chief minister added in the statement.

    He underwent angioplasty, a procedure to open clogged arteries, at a government hospital in Lucknow on Friday.

    Gehlot said he would be under supervision of doctors at the Sawai Mansingh Hospital (SMS) for the time being.

    He asked people to follow COVID-19 protocols, including mask, social distancing and hand washing, seriously, and get themselves vaccinated on time.

    The chief minister also urged people to consult a doctor if they have any symptoms after recovering from Covid as even the slightest negligence can be serious.