News Analysis India

Tag: ashok gehlot

  • ‘We are all united’: Rajasthan Congress chief on Gehlot-Pilot issue

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara on Friday downplayed the ongoing tussle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, saying “We are all united”.

    He also said if a leader is not found popular in his constituency in the party’s pre-poll survey, he should not get a ticket even if it is him.

    “I am a man of the organisation and will take all people of the organisation along. Today, I can say that we are all united and are strengthening the Congress,” he told reporters here.

    “Pilot has already said that he has conveyed his point to the high command and at the same time, the AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has also conveyed his point to the high command,” the PCC chief said.

    “Then a third person should not comment on this.”

    On the chances of a Cabinet reshuffle before elections, he said, “This is the prerogative of the chief minister, but there are always possibilities.”

    On the allotment of tickets in elections, he said the party would give chances to those who are popular among the public. “Those who go among them and serve them will get the ticket.”

    ALSO READ | AAP, RLP keep door open for Sachin Pilot

    The state assembly elections are due later this year.

    Last week, Pilot opened a front against chief minister Gehlot.

    Pilot said the Congress raised the issue of corruption when the party was in opposition during the BJP rule — from 2013 to 2018 — and promised in the 2018 assembly polls that action would be taken in the matter if the party forms the government in Rajasthan. However, no action was taken in over four years of the Congress government, he added.

    On this issue, he held a day-long dharna at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur last week.

    AICC in charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa called it an act against the party discipline. He also said that Pilot, who is an MLA, should have raised his demand for action in corruption cases in the Rajasthan Assembly, instead of holding the fast.

    With just a few months left for the assembly elections, the party held a one-on-one dialogue with MLAs and those who are supporting it and held a one-day workshop this week. Pilot skipped these programmes.

    However, on Thursday he went to a dharna here led by BJP’s Rajya Sabah MP Kirodi Lal Meena with the family members of a man who committed suicide, blaming Cabinet minister Mahesh Joshi and others for the extreme step. He demanded a fair investigation in the case.

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara on Friday downplayed the ongoing tussle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, saying “We are all united”.

    He also said if a leader is not found popular in his constituency in the party’s pre-poll survey, he should not get a ticket even if it is him.

    “I am a man of the organisation and will take all people of the organisation along. Today, I can say that we are all united and are strengthening the Congress,” he told reporters here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Pilot has already said that he has conveyed his point to the high command and at the same time, the AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has also conveyed his point to the high command,” the PCC chief said.

    “Then a third person should not comment on this.”

    On the chances of a Cabinet reshuffle before elections, he said, “This is the prerogative of the chief minister, but there are always possibilities.”

    On the allotment of tickets in elections, he said the party would give chances to those who are popular among the public. “Those who go among them and serve them will get the ticket.”

    ALSO READ | AAP, RLP keep door open for Sachin Pilot

    The state assembly elections are due later this year.

    Last week, Pilot opened a front against chief minister Gehlot.

    Pilot said the Congress raised the issue of corruption when the party was in opposition during the BJP rule — from 2013 to 2018 — and promised in the 2018 assembly polls that action would be taken in the matter if the party forms the government in Rajasthan. However, no action was taken in over four years of the Congress government, he added.

    On this issue, he held a day-long dharna at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur last week.

    AICC in charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa called it an act against the party discipline. He also said that Pilot, who is an MLA, should have raised his demand for action in corruption cases in the Rajasthan Assembly, instead of holding the fast.

    With just a few months left for the assembly elections, the party held a one-on-one dialogue with MLAs and those who are supporting it and held a one-day workshop this week. Pilot skipped these programmes.

    However, on Thursday he went to a dharna here led by BJP’s Rajya Sabah MP Kirodi Lal Meena with the family members of a man who committed suicide, blaming Cabinet minister Mahesh Joshi and others for the extreme step. He demanded a fair investigation in the case.

  • Rajasthan paper leak case: Row over arrest of Gehlot’s appointee 

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  In the high-profile paper leak case in the recruitment exam for senior teachers in Rajasthan, a political row has erupted between the ruling Congress and the BJP. After the arrest of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara in the case two days ago, leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has severely criticized the government. State party chief Govind Singh Dotasara is responding from the Congress side.

    Demanding a CBI inquiry, Rathore has alleged that Katara visited the Chief Minister’s residence “every 15 days.” He also questioned why and how a statistics officer like Babulal Katara was nominated by CM Ashok Gehlot on a constitutional body like RPSC where the Chief Minister himself nominates the members.

    Earlier, in several tweets, Rathore targeted state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, raising questions about RPSC’s selection process where relatives of a senior Congress politician got 80 marks in the interview but less than 50 marks in the written exam. This allegation relates to the selection of some relatives of Dotasara in RPSC exams.

    Dotasara responded by accusing Rathore of promoting his children to become contractors. He promised strict action against those who engage in any illegal activities. Dotasara also criticised Rathore’s political career and argued that due to Rathore’s flip-flops, he has never been able to become the CM or the state BJP chief despite winning seven times.

    On Tuesday, the Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police arrested RPSC member Babulal Katara, the Commission’s driver Gopal Singh, and Katara’s nephew Vijay Katara. The SOG will present the three in court. The three are now in remand until April 23. Since the arrest of Sher Singh Meena, the main accused in the paper leak case, on April 6 from Odisha, the SOG kept a close watch on Katara. 

    JAIPUR:  In the high-profile paper leak case in the recruitment exam for senior teachers in Rajasthan, a political row has erupted between the ruling Congress and the BJP. After the arrest of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara in the case two days ago, leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has severely criticized the government. State party chief Govind Singh Dotasara is responding from the Congress side.

    Demanding a CBI inquiry, Rathore has alleged that Katara visited the Chief Minister’s residence “every 15 days.” He also questioned why and how a statistics officer like Babulal Katara was nominated by CM Ashok Gehlot on a constitutional body like RPSC where the Chief Minister himself nominates the members.

    Earlier, in several tweets, Rathore targeted state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, raising questions about RPSC’s selection process where relatives of a senior Congress politician got 80 marks in the interview but less than 50 marks in the written exam. This allegation relates to the selection of some relatives of Dotasara in RPSC exams.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Dotasara responded by accusing Rathore of promoting his children to become contractors. He promised strict action against those who engage in any illegal activities. Dotasara also criticised Rathore’s political career and argued that due to Rathore’s flip-flops, he has never been able to become the CM or the state BJP chief despite winning seven times.

    On Tuesday, the Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police arrested RPSC member Babulal Katara, the Commission’s driver Gopal Singh, and Katara’s nephew Vijay Katara. The SOG will present the three in court. The three are now in remand until April 23. Since the arrest of Sher Singh Meena, the main accused in the paper leak case, on April 6 from Odisha, the SOG kept a close watch on Katara. 

  • Congress denounces Pilot plan, says would amount to ‘anti-party activity’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Taking strong objection to the proposed dharna by former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, the Congress on Monday evening said any such protest against its sitting government would amount to anti-party activity.

    Pilot on Sunday alleged that the Ashok Gehlot-led government failed to investigate cases of alleged corruption during the BJP rule in Rajasthan and announced plans to hold a day-long fast on Tuesday to press for action.

    Sukhjinder Randhawa, the Congress general secretary in-charge for Rajasthan, said he talked to Pilot during the day and told him to raise issues at party platforms instead of going public against its own government.

    “I personally called Sachin Pilot and asked him to raise such matters at party platforms instead of going public like this,” he told PTI when asked if he had discussed Pilot’s proposed fast with him.

    Randhawa said any such action or fast is not justified and all matters should be raised within the party platforms and not publicly like this.

    “Any such action would amount to anti-party activity,” he said.

    Randhawa said the two letters Pilot was referring to for action against graft by the previous Vasundhara Raje government have never been raised before him despite several talks and discussions.

    Sources close to Pilot said he will go ahead with his day-long fast on Tuesday to press for his demand for action against corruption during the previous BJP regime in Rajasthan and added that his fight is against graft under the Raje dispensation and not targeted at anyone else.

    Pilot has said he will observe the fast at Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak on April 11 — the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, who was from the Saini community to which Gehlot belongs.

    Sources said Pilot claimed that he would sit on a “maun vrat” and not speak against the government.

    The sources close to the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister also said that while Rahul Gandhi was fighting Adani over alleged corruption, Pilot was taking up the issue to hold the previous Raje dispensation accountable.

    The Congress has been strongly raising its voice against corruption in the country, be it on the Adani matter or by the Karnataka government.

    If action is not taken against those responsible for graft under the Raje government, then why would people take us seriously, a source close to Pilot said.

    NEW DELHI: Taking strong objection to the proposed dharna by former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, the Congress on Monday evening said any such protest against its sitting government would amount to anti-party activity.

    Pilot on Sunday alleged that the Ashok Gehlot-led government failed to investigate cases of alleged corruption during the BJP rule in Rajasthan and announced plans to hold a day-long fast on Tuesday to press for action.

    Sukhjinder Randhawa, the Congress general secretary in-charge for Rajasthan, said he talked to Pilot during the day and told him to raise issues at party platforms instead of going public against its own government.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “I personally called Sachin Pilot and asked him to raise such matters at party platforms instead of going public like this,” he told PTI when asked if he had discussed Pilot’s proposed fast with him.

    Randhawa said any such action or fast is not justified and all matters should be raised within the party platforms and not publicly like this.

    “Any such action would amount to anti-party activity,” he said.

    Randhawa said the two letters Pilot was referring to for action against graft by the previous Vasundhara Raje government have never been raised before him despite several talks and discussions.

    Sources close to Pilot said he will go ahead with his day-long fast on Tuesday to press for his demand for action against corruption during the previous BJP regime in Rajasthan and added that his fight is against graft under the Raje dispensation and not targeted at anyone else.

    Pilot has said he will observe the fast at Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak on April 11 — the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, who was from the Saini community to which Gehlot belongs.

    Sources said Pilot claimed that he would sit on a “maun vrat” and not speak against the government.

    The sources close to the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister also said that while Rahul Gandhi was fighting Adani over alleged corruption, Pilot was taking up the issue to hold the previous Raje dispensation accountable.

    The Congress has been strongly raising its voice against corruption in the country, be it on the Adani matter or by the Karnataka government.

    If action is not taken against those responsible for graft under the Raje government, then why would people take us seriously, a source close to Pilot said.

  • Rajasthan govt declares birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule public holiday 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has declared April 11, the birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, a public holiday.

    With this, the state has 30 public holidays and 20 optional holidays.

    Till now, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti was an optional holiday in the state.

    According to an official statement, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a proposal in this regard.

    The decision has been taken keeping in mind the common man’s feelings and the demand of people’s representatives, it said.

    Women and Child Development Minister Mamta Bhupesh, Rashtriya Phule Brigade Team Rajasthan and various social organizations and people’s representatives had demanded that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti be declared a public holiday.

    Jyotiba Phule played an important role in eradicating untouchability and empowering society.

    He also made organised efforts for the rights of farmers and labourers.

    Earlier, the state government changed Lord Shri Devnarayan Jayanti from optional to public holiday.

    JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has declared April 11, the birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, a public holiday.

    With this, the state has 30 public holidays and 20 optional holidays.

    Till now, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti was an optional holiday in the state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    According to an official statement, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a proposal in this regard.

    The decision has been taken keeping in mind the common man’s feelings and the demand of people’s representatives, it said.

    Women and Child Development Minister Mamta Bhupesh, Rashtriya Phule Brigade Team Rajasthan and various social organizations and people’s representatives had demanded that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti be declared a public holiday.

    Jyotiba Phule played an important role in eradicating untouchability and empowering society.

    He also made organised efforts for the rights of farmers and labourers.

    Earlier, the state government changed Lord Shri Devnarayan Jayanti from optional to public holiday.

  • Gehlot writes to Modi seeking change in rules for PM crop insurance scheme

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to relax the rules of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana issued in October 2022 so that affected farmers can get immediate relief after crop loss.

    The chief minister has also demanded to change the rule of compensating farmers for the loss of crops on only two hectares of land in cases of natural calamity and increase this limit, according to a statement.

    “Gehlot has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to amend the new rules issued by the government of India in October 2022 in order to end the inclusion of assistance given to farmers from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for crop damage with the amount received through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana,” it said.

    “The chief minister wrote that farmers were not getting immediate relief for crop damage due to the rule.

    Calculating the insured amount to be received by farmers during calamities from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a complex and lengthy process,” the statement added.

    This leads to multiple delays in the disbursement of SDRF assistance while farmers have to raise funds for the next crop immediately after crop damage, it said.

    Gehlot further wrote that before the new rules that came into existence in October 2022, farmers used to receive quick financial assistance under the SDRF.

    Therefore, the rules must be amended in order to provide immediate assistance under the SDRF, the statement added.

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to relax the rules of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana issued in October 2022 so that affected farmers can get immediate relief after crop loss.

    The chief minister has also demanded to change the rule of compensating farmers for the loss of crops on only two hectares of land in cases of natural calamity and increase this limit, according to a statement.

    “Gehlot has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to amend the new rules issued by the government of India in October 2022 in order to end the inclusion of assistance given to farmers from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for crop damage with the amount received through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana,” it said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The chief minister wrote that farmers were not getting immediate relief for crop damage due to the rule.

    Calculating the insured amount to be received by farmers during calamities from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a complex and lengthy process,” the statement added.

    This leads to multiple delays in the disbursement of SDRF assistance while farmers have to raise funds for the next crop immediately after crop damage, it said.

    Gehlot further wrote that before the new rules that came into existence in October 2022, farmers used to receive quick financial assistance under the SDRF.

    Therefore, the rules must be amended in order to provide immediate assistance under the SDRF, the statement added.

  • Rajasthan CM Gehlot targets Z security for Union Minister Shekhawat

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: Two heavyweights of Rajasthan politics – CM Ashok Gehlot and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat – are openly ranged against each other these days. Rajasthan CM Gehlot has fired a fresh salvo at Gajendra Singh Shekhawat by targeting the Z security recently given to the union minister.

    Addressing mediapersons in his home district of Jodhpur, CM Gehlot said, “Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has taken Z security from the central government. What was the situation that he was given Z security? If he was in danger from anyone, he should have told us earlier and we would have provided him security. It seems that due to the fear of SOG arrest in the Sanjivani Co-operative case, security has been provided to him.”

    On a visit to Jodhpur, CM Gehlot even met the victims of the 953 crores Sanjivani Credit Co-operative scam at the Circuit House on Sunday. While expressing their hardships and pain, the victims of the Sanjivani Co-operative credit scam demanded help from the state government and said that after investing crores of rupees, they have been stumbling door to door for years for their money. The victims alleged that Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was involved in the matter, after which the Chief Minister assured justice to the victims. After meeting the victims, Gehlot accused Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh of having links with the Sanjeevani Credit Co-operative Society, which had embezzled investors’ money.

    CM Gehlot said, “He (Shekhawat) should understand the suffering of these victims and give back the lost amount to all these victims.” Gehlot said that Shekhawat is an accused and that he should clarify the situation in this matter. CM said that Shekhawat has taken Z category security only because he is an accused in the scam and he was afraid of being arrested by SOG.

    CM Gehlot has often attacked Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on various issues in recent years. Both the prominent leaders come from Jodhpur and in the last Lok Sabha polls, Shekhawat had defeated CM Gehlot’s son and RCA President, Vaibhav Gehlot. In the last few years, CM Gehlot has been persistent in his demand for getting a national status for ERCP which will provide water and benefit a dozen districts of Eastern Rajasthan. CM Gehlot has been nudging the BJP to take up the matter with the PM and as Shekhawat is the Union Jalshakti Minister and also the MP from Jodhpur he has frequently been at the receiving end of Gehlot’s attacks. 

    Now, with the CM speaking about the Sanjivani matter too, it is clear that these two issues will make Shekhawat politically vulnerable as Gehlot will surely raise these issues regularly in the election year according to political observers.

    However, in a sharp response to CM Gehlot’s latest attack, Union Minister Shekhawat asserted, “I have also come to know that the CM is making remarks about me. Surely he has some knowledge of Law. If he thinks that those who have some security cover cannot be arrested, then what can I say? I will respond to all his queries when the need arises.  

    More than 1 lakh people invested crores of rupees in the Sanjivani Credit Co-operative Society, which later grabbed the investors’ money.  The SOG had registered an FIR in August 2020 on the complaint of the people as a scam of over nine hundred crores was exposed in the investigation. The Society’s managing director Vikram Singh has been arrested in the case and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Vikram Singh have been business partners for many years.

    Transactions worth lakhs of rupees also came to light from the accounts of Vikram Singh in the bank accounts of Shekhawat and his family members.  Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ended his partnership with Vikram Singh before becoming an MP. Clearly, in election year every issue will be used to score political points. And security cover for a Union Minister is now only the latest one as Rajasthan moves towards elections later in the year.

    JAIPUR: Two heavyweights of Rajasthan politics – CM Ashok Gehlot and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat – are openly ranged against each other these days. Rajasthan CM Gehlot has fired a fresh salvo at Gajendra Singh Shekhawat by targeting the Z security recently given to the union minister.

    Addressing mediapersons in his home district of Jodhpur, CM Gehlot said, “Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has taken Z security from the central government. What was the situation that he was given Z security? If he was in danger from anyone, he should have told us earlier and we would have provided him security. It seems that due to the fear of SOG arrest in the Sanjivani Co-operative case, security has been provided to him.”

    On a visit to Jodhpur, CM Gehlot even met the victims of the 953 crores Sanjivani Credit Co-operative scam at the Circuit House on Sunday. While expressing their hardships and pain, the victims of the Sanjivani Co-operative credit scam demanded help from the state government and said that after investing crores of rupees, they have been stumbling door to door for years for their money. The victims alleged that Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was involved in the matter, after which the Chief Minister assured justice to the victims. After meeting the victims, Gehlot accused Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh of having links with the Sanjeevani Credit Co-operative Society, which had embezzled investors’ money.

    CM Gehlot said, “He (Shekhawat) should understand the suffering of these victims and give back the lost amount to all these victims.” Gehlot said that Shekhawat is an accused and that he should clarify the situation in this matter. CM said that Shekhawat has taken Z category security only because he is an accused in the scam and he was afraid of being arrested by SOG.

    CM Gehlot has often attacked Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on various issues in recent years. Both the prominent leaders come from Jodhpur and in the last Lok Sabha polls, Shekhawat had defeated CM Gehlot’s son and RCA President, Vaibhav Gehlot. In the last few years, CM Gehlot has been persistent in his demand for getting a national status for ERCP which will provide water and benefit a dozen districts of Eastern Rajasthan. CM Gehlot has been nudging the BJP to take up the matter with the PM and as Shekhawat is the Union Jalshakti Minister and also the MP from Jodhpur he has frequently been at the receiving end of Gehlot’s attacks. 

    Now, with the CM speaking about the Sanjivani matter too, it is clear that these two issues will make Shekhawat politically vulnerable as Gehlot will surely raise these issues regularly in the election year according to political observers.

    However, in a sharp response to CM Gehlot’s latest attack, Union Minister Shekhawat asserted, “I have also come to know that the CM is making remarks about me. Surely he has some knowledge of Law. If he thinks that those who have some security cover cannot be arrested, then what can I say? I will respond to all his queries when the need arises.  

    More than 1 lakh people invested crores of rupees in the Sanjivani Credit Co-operative Society, which later grabbed the investors’ money.  The SOG had registered an FIR in August 2020 on the complaint of the people as a scam of over nine hundred crores was exposed in the investigation. The Society’s managing director Vikram Singh has been arrested in the case and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Vikram Singh have been business partners for many years.

    Transactions worth lakhs of rupees also came to light from the accounts of Vikram Singh in the bank accounts of Shekhawat and his family members.  Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ended his partnership with Vikram Singh before becoming an MP. Clearly, in election year every issue will be used to score political points. And security cover for a Union Minister is now only the latest one as Rajasthan moves towards elections later in the year.

  • PM Modi attacks Gehlot over budget speech goof-up, says Cong lacks vision  

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, days after the veteran Congress leader read out portions from the previous year’s budget speech while presenting the budget for 2023-24.

    “Mistakes can happen to anyone, but last year’s budget was kept in the box. This shows the Congress has neither vision nor gravitas and its plans and announcements remained just on paper,” the prime minister said in his speech after inaugurating the first-phase of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Dausa, Rajasthan.

    The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a 1,350-km long expressway that will run across six states and will be India’s longest expressway. Built at a cost of Rs 12,150 crore, the 246-km first phase of the expressway will shorten travel time between Delhi and Jaipur to three hours from the current five. Modi touted it as the grand picture of developed India that his government is trying to build and said it will boost tourism and bring new jobs for youths in Rajasthan.

    Attacking the Congress party, the PM said it was afraid of making roads in border areas when it was in power in the state. “They were afraid that if we build a road near the border, the enemy will come walking over it. Congress has undermined the valour of our soldiers,” the PM said. With about 10 months left for the Assembly elections, the PM said the state needs a double-engine government to bring development. 

    JAIPUR:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, days after the veteran Congress leader read out portions from the previous year’s budget speech while presenting the budget for 2023-24.

    “Mistakes can happen to anyone, but last year’s budget was kept in the box. This shows the Congress has neither vision nor gravitas and its plans and announcements remained just on paper,” the prime minister said in his speech after inaugurating the first-phase of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Dausa, Rajasthan.

    The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a 1,350-km long expressway that will run across six states and will be India’s longest expressway. Built at a cost of Rs 12,150 crore, the 246-km first phase of the expressway will shorten travel time between Delhi and Jaipur to three hours from the current five. Modi touted it as the grand picture of developed India that his government is trying to build and said it will boost tourism and bring new jobs for youths in Rajasthan.

    Attacking the Congress party, the PM said it was afraid of making roads in border areas when it was in power in the state. “They were afraid that if we build a road near the border, the enemy will come walking over it. Congress has undermined the valour of our soldiers,” the PM said. With about 10 months left for the Assembly elections, the PM said the state needs a double-engine government to bring development. 

  • If it were in my control, I would make rapists parade in public: Rajasthan CM

    By PTI

    UDAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said if it were in his hands, he would have come up with severe punishments for rapists and gangsters to set a strict precedent.

    Gehlot was interacting with reporters during his Udaipur visit on Thursday when he made the remark.

    He said if needed, the identity of those held in the bribery case by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in the state will be revealed to set a stricter precedent for others.

    “If it were in my control, I would take the rapists and gangsters to markets and make them parade in public,” he said, adding, “However, this cannot be done.”

    Gehlot said the apex court has prohibited handcuffing but it used to make the person feel guilty. Now policemen arrest a person accused in a criminal case by holding hands. The Congress leader said respecting the judiciary is the duty of all.

    “Judiciary does its work and we do our work. Respecting it is our duty,” he said.

    He was answering a question about the ACB order that was issued by the officiating DG ACB on Wednesday.

    “The intention of the government is the same, zero tolerance against corruption and therefore the media and public should not mind it,” he said.

    “I believe that the order was issued on technical ground, on the basis of a Supreme Court judgment. It has come out in the media that the SC decision was for some other purpose, I will get it examined and if needed, the order will be withdrawn. It is not a big deal,” he said.

    Opposition BJP has targeted the state government over the order, questioning its intention.

    While praising the work being done by the bureau, the CM said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders cannot appreciate the good.

    The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Rajasthan on Wednesday asked its officials not to reveal names and photos of those accused in bribery cases until they are convicted by the court.

    In an order issued shortly after he assumed additional charge as the ACB chief, Hemant Priyadarshy said only the rank or designation, and the department of the accused should be shared with the media.

    The officer has argued that there is a legal ground behind the order and it was issued according to the guidelines of the apex court.

    UDAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said if it were in his hands, he would have come up with severe punishments for rapists and gangsters to set a strict precedent.

    Gehlot was interacting with reporters during his Udaipur visit on Thursday when he made the remark.

    He said if needed, the identity of those held in the bribery case by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in the state will be revealed to set a stricter precedent for others.

    “If it were in my control, I would take the rapists and gangsters to markets and make them parade in public,” he said, adding, “However, this cannot be done.”

    Gehlot said the apex court has prohibited handcuffing but it used to make the person feel guilty. Now policemen arrest a person accused in a criminal case by holding hands. The Congress leader said respecting the judiciary is the duty of all.

    “Judiciary does its work and we do our work. Respecting it is our duty,” he said.

    He was answering a question about the ACB order that was issued by the officiating DG ACB on Wednesday.

    “The intention of the government is the same, zero tolerance against corruption and therefore the media and public should not mind it,” he said.

    “I believe that the order was issued on technical ground, on the basis of a Supreme Court judgment. It has come out in the media that the SC decision was for some other purpose, I will get it examined and if needed, the order will be withdrawn. It is not a big deal,” he said.

    Opposition BJP has targeted the state government over the order, questioning its intention.

    While praising the work being done by the bureau, the CM said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders cannot appreciate the good.

    The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Rajasthan on Wednesday asked its officials not to reveal names and photos of those accused in bribery cases until they are convicted by the court.

    In an order issued shortly after he assumed additional charge as the ACB chief, Hemant Priyadarshy said only the rank or designation, and the department of the accused should be shared with the media.

    The officer has argued that there is a legal ground behind the order and it was issued according to the guidelines of the apex court.

  • Rajasthan: Budget session in January sets off big buzz over withdrawal of resignations by Congress MLAs

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: Ahead of the budget session of the Rajasthan assembly from January 23, a meeting between assembly Speaker CP Joshi and Congress state in-charge Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa has set off a big buzz that the resignations submitted by over 90 pro-Gehlot MLAs on 25th September are now being withdrawn.

    Sources in the party say that the reason for revoking resignations is the hearing in the Rajasthan High Court on the issue on January 2. The BJP has asked Speaker Joshi to accept the resignations which in effect will bring the Gehlot government to a minority. The plan to revoke the resignations is being described as a mockery of democracy by the opposition BJP.

    Over 90 MLAs of the Gehlot faction, who resigned after boycotting the Congress Legislature Party meeting on September 25, have now been asked to withdraw their resignations. The new in-charge Sukhjinder Randhawa, in a meeting with Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi, discussed how the dispute over resignations of the MLAs could be settled by citing the message of the Congress High Command.

    In the meeting with Joshi, he also wanted to know the status of resignations and the technical aspects of it. After a few days in Jaipur, Randhawa returned to Delhi after taking feedback from all party leaders.

    In contrast, the BJP is raising questions as to why no decision has been taken even after three months on the resignations by Congress MLAs. A petition was filed in the High Court on behalf of BJP MLA Rajendra Rathore, on which Speaker Joshi has asked to clarify the situation through a notice to his secretary by the next hearing of the case on January 2.

    The second reason for withdrawing the resignation is that the assembly session will start in Rajasthan on January 23. As soon as the budget session begins, the BJP will ask the speaker to clarify the position on the resignations. On the BJP’s demand, Speaker Joshi will have to give a ruling in the assembly and there is a possibility of the Congress and the government getting cornered on this issue. In such a situation, the resignations of all the MLAs are likely to be revoked before the budget session.

    On September 25, following the orders of the Congress high command, a meeting of the Legislature Party was called at the CM’s residence where a one-line resolution was to be passed giving the right of selection of the new CM to the high command. After boycotting that CLP meet, 91 Congress MLAs had voluntarily submitted their resignations to the Speaker.

    By resigning, the MLAs were trying to put pressure on the high command that if Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is removed from the post, then only one of the 102 MLAs of his faction should be made the Chief Minister and not Sachin Pilot. The pro-Gehlot MLAs had gone to Speaker Joshi and handed him their resignations. However, the speaker has, to date, neither accepted those resignations nor taken any action on them.

    These resignations became the biggest obstacle in the way of making Pilot the CM. It is believed that resignation politics in Rajasthan is almost over now as it has also become clear that CM Ashok Gehlot will present the budget. In such a situation, there is no scope for any leadership change and the resignations of MLAs will be withdrawn in the next few days.

    According to Vidhansabha sources, neither these resignations were received by the Vidhansabha office, nor is there any information about their withdrawal. Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore said that this is a mockery of democracy.

    “Once resignation is given, there is no provision to take it back. These MLAs are misleading the public. If the ministers had resigned, how their decisions are being implemented till now. The government did not have the confidence of the house. The ministers and MLAs should also return their salaries and allowances for this period. These Congress MLAs were not in a position to counter the points raised in the petition, that’s why the resignations have been withdrawn.”

    Just before Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Rajasthan, the Congress high command had effected a reconciliation between CM Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, after which the yatra could pass off peacefully.

    Experts believe that due to the resignations, CM Gehlot has been able to get his desire to present the last budget of this government.

    But it is still a big question whether Gehlot will remain the CM after the budget.

    JAIPUR: Ahead of the budget session of the Rajasthan assembly from January 23, a meeting between assembly Speaker CP Joshi and Congress state in-charge Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa has set off a big buzz that the resignations submitted by over 90 pro-Gehlot MLAs on 25th September are now being withdrawn.

    Sources in the party say that the reason for revoking resignations is the hearing in the Rajasthan High Court on the issue on January 2. The BJP has asked Speaker Joshi to accept the resignations which in effect will bring the Gehlot government to a minority. The plan to revoke the resignations is being described as a mockery of democracy by the opposition BJP.

    Over 90 MLAs of the Gehlot faction, who resigned after boycotting the Congress Legislature Party meeting on September 25, have now been asked to withdraw their resignations. The new in-charge Sukhjinder Randhawa, in a meeting with Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi, discussed how the dispute over resignations of the MLAs could be settled by citing the message of the Congress High Command.

    In the meeting with Joshi, he also wanted to know the status of resignations and the technical aspects of it. After a few days in Jaipur, Randhawa returned to Delhi after taking feedback from all party leaders.

    In contrast, the BJP is raising questions as to why no decision has been taken even after three months on the resignations by Congress MLAs. A petition was filed in the High Court on behalf of BJP MLA Rajendra Rathore, on which Speaker Joshi has asked to clarify the situation through a notice to his secretary by the next hearing of the case on January 2.

    The second reason for withdrawing the resignation is that the assembly session will start in Rajasthan on January 23. As soon as the budget session begins, the BJP will ask the speaker to clarify the position on the resignations. On the BJP’s demand, Speaker Joshi will have to give a ruling in the assembly and there is a possibility of the Congress and the government getting cornered on this issue. In such a situation, the resignations of all the MLAs are likely to be revoked before the budget session.

    On September 25, following the orders of the Congress high command, a meeting of the Legislature Party was called at the CM’s residence where a one-line resolution was to be passed giving the right of selection of the new CM to the high command. After boycotting that CLP meet, 91 Congress MLAs had voluntarily submitted their resignations to the Speaker.

    By resigning, the MLAs were trying to put pressure on the high command that if Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is removed from the post, then only one of the 102 MLAs of his faction should be made the Chief Minister and not Sachin Pilot. The pro-Gehlot MLAs had gone to Speaker Joshi and handed him their resignations. However, the speaker has, to date, neither accepted those resignations nor taken any action on them.

    These resignations became the biggest obstacle in the way of making Pilot the CM. It is believed that resignation politics in Rajasthan is almost over now as it has also become clear that CM Ashok Gehlot will present the budget. In such a situation, there is no scope for any leadership change and the resignations of MLAs will be withdrawn in the next few days.

    According to Vidhansabha sources, neither these resignations were received by the Vidhansabha office, nor is there any information about their withdrawal. Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore said that this is a mockery of democracy.

    “Once resignation is given, there is no provision to take it back. These MLAs are misleading the public. If the ministers had resigned, how their decisions are being implemented till now. The government did not have the confidence of the house. The ministers and MLAs should also return their salaries and allowances for this period. These Congress MLAs were not in a position to counter the points raised in the petition, that’s why the resignations have been withdrawn.”

    Just before Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Rajasthan, the Congress high command had effected a reconciliation between CM Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, after which the yatra could pass off peacefully.

    Experts believe that due to the resignations, CM Gehlot has been able to get his desire to present the last budget of this government.

    But it is still a big question whether Gehlot will remain the CM after the budget.

  • No one is made CM on basis of caste: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday said he has not become the chief minister of Rajasthan on the basis of caste as he is the lone MLA from his community.

    Gehlot’s statement has come amid demands from a section to make his bete noire Sachin Pilot as the chief minister, who belongs to the Gujjar community.

    Gehlot and Pilot have been at loggerheads over chief ministership ever since the Congress won the Rajasthan polls in 2018.

    ALSO READ | Traitor Sachin Pilot will never be accepted as Rajasthan CM, says Ashok Gehlot

    Reiterating that he is the chief minister because of the affection and blessings of all sections of the society, Gehlot said he is the only MLA from the Mali community in the Rajasthan Assembly and still people have made him the chief minister thrice.

    “Today I am the chief minister. I want to serve every community, be it Jat, Gujjar, Rajput, Kushwaha, Jatav, Brahmin, Baniya, Meena. Because, I know that no one is made the chief minister on the basis of caste,” Gehlot said in a tweet.

    In a series of tweets, the CM shared the Sunday’s event in Nadbai of Bharatpur district where he addressed a gathering after laying the foundation of various development projects.

    “If all the communities do not love me, do not bless me, then how can I be made the chief minister 3 times and the biggest thing is that my caste is called Saini, it is called Kushwaha, it is called Mali.”

    ALSO READ | Both leaders assets to Congress, says Rahul Gandhi on Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot

    “There is only one MLA of my caste in the assembly, and that is myself. Sometimes, I think that what a lucky person I am, I am so fortunate that the people of Rajasthan have made me chief minister thrice,” he said.

    He said that he has been party’s national general secretary three times, chief minister three times and the high command is showing so much faith in him because of the love, affection and blessings of the people of Rajasthan.

    The CM said that it will be his endeavour to wipe the tears of every poor of Rajasthan, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

    JAIPUR: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday said he has not become the chief minister of Rajasthan on the basis of caste as he is the lone MLA from his community.

    Gehlot’s statement has come amid demands from a section to make his bete noire Sachin Pilot as the chief minister, who belongs to the Gujjar community.

    Gehlot and Pilot have been at loggerheads over chief ministership ever since the Congress won the Rajasthan polls in 2018.

    ALSO READ | Traitor Sachin Pilot will never be accepted as Rajasthan CM, says Ashok Gehlot

    Reiterating that he is the chief minister because of the affection and blessings of all sections of the society, Gehlot said he is the only MLA from the Mali community in the Rajasthan Assembly and still people have made him the chief minister thrice.

    “Today I am the chief minister. I want to serve every community, be it Jat, Gujjar, Rajput, Kushwaha, Jatav, Brahmin, Baniya, Meena. Because, I know that no one is made the chief minister on the basis of caste,” Gehlot said in a tweet.

    In a series of tweets, the CM shared the Sunday’s event in Nadbai of Bharatpur district where he addressed a gathering after laying the foundation of various development projects.

    “If all the communities do not love me, do not bless me, then how can I be made the chief minister 3 times and the biggest thing is that my caste is called Saini, it is called Kushwaha, it is called Mali.”

    ALSO READ | Both leaders assets to Congress, says Rahul Gandhi on Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot

    “There is only one MLA of my caste in the assembly, and that is myself. Sometimes, I think that what a lucky person I am, I am so fortunate that the people of Rajasthan have made me chief minister thrice,” he said.

    He said that he has been party’s national general secretary three times, chief minister three times and the high command is showing so much faith in him because of the love, affection and blessings of the people of Rajasthan.

    The CM said that it will be his endeavour to wipe the tears of every poor of Rajasthan, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.