News Analysis India

Tag: Gehlot

  • “PM Modi’s caste wasn’t recommended for OBC list by Mandal Commission”: Gehlot backs Rahul’s claim

    Jaipur: Defending the remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not an OBC as he was born into the general category, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said the latter’s caste was not included in Other Backward Classes (OBC) list as per the recommendations made by Mandal Commission and Bakshi Committee.

    In a post on X, Ashok Gehlot said, “Rahul Gandhi has spoken the truth on the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inclusion in OBC because Modi/Ghanchi caste was not included in OBC list in the recommendations of Mandal Commission and Bakshi Committee, which was formed in 1978 for backward classes in Gujarat. His caste was that of a business community in the entire country. People from Jain, Maheshwari, and Agarwal communities commonly use the Modi surname.”

    Gehlot further said if PM Modi considers himself as the biggest supporter of the OBC community, then he shoudl have a nationwide caste census conducted at the earliest. “If Narendra Modi considers himself an OBC and a supporter of the interests of the OBC class, then as per the demand of former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the central government should immediately announce the holding of a nationwide caste census. As our Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, on the one hand caste census will make it easier for the Central and state governments to ensure social justice for the backward classes from a scientific point of view and on the other hand, there should not be any confusion around caste census creating obstacles in the progress of people of general category,” Gehlot said.

    In January 1978, the Centre decided to set up a second backward classes commission, under the Chairmanship of BP Mandal. The Mandal Commission submitted its report in December 1980. The Mandal Commission identified 3,743 castes that it found to form India’s Other Backward Classes, representing 52 per cent of the country’s population. Noting that OBCs only occupied 12.5 per cent of civil service posts, it recommended 27 per cent reservation for them.

    Earlier, on Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not an OBC as he was born into the general category.Addressing a public rally during the Odisha leg of his ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ here, the Wayanad MP said, “Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them, ‘Our Prime Minister lied to the country that he belongs to the backward class. He wasn’t born into a backward class, he belongs to the general caste’. Do say this to every BJP worker.” Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s denial of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s OBC status, BJP’s Amit Malviya accused him of spreading a ‘blatant lie.’

    Malviya shared an official document listing OBC categories from Gujarat dated October 27, 1999, asserting that Modi’s caste was officially recognized as OBC two years before he took over as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

    Malviya also claimed that the Nehru-Gandhi family, right from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi, has consistently been opposed to OBCs.

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  • Gehlot urges Centre to give national status to Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday urged the Centre to give national status to the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, saying this would enable the ERCP’s fast completion and hence 13 districts of east Rajasthan would get drinking and irrigation water.

    The project aims to harvest surplus water, available during the rainy season in rivers in southern Rajasthan such as Chambal and its tributaries including Kunnu, Parvati, Kalisindh, and use it in 13 south-eastern districts of the state where there is a scarcity of water for drinking and irrigation.

    “With limited resources of the state government, this project will take 15 years to complete and the cost of the project will also increase. If the central government gives it the status of a national project and if the grant is received, the work will also be completed faster and at a lower cost,” he tweeted.

    “Our intention is that the work of ERCP should be completed soon, so that 13 districts of East Rajasthan can get drinking and irrigation water. The state government has so far spent about Rs 1,000 crore on ERCP and has proposed Rs 9,600 crores in this year’s budget,” Gehlot said.

    He also targeted Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on this issue, saying that he is not doing anything for the state despite being the Union Minister of Jal Shakti from Rajasthan.

    “It is beyond comprehension that if a desert and water-stressed state like Rajasthan does not get the status of a national project, then which state will get it?,” he said.

  • Gehlot gets a lift, BJP loss is victory for Vasundhara

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR:  The Congress and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot got a big Diwali gift by winning both the Assembly bypoll in Vallabhgarh and Dhariyawad. Though Vallabhnagar was with the Congress, the win was impressive in Dhariyavad as the BJP had won it by 23,000-plus votes earlier.  For the BJP, it was a humbling experience as it came third and fourth in the two seats.

    The Congress victory is all set to strengthen the leadership of Gehlot who faces constant challenges from Sachin Pilot. In contrast, the big defeats are likely to further intensify the rift in the BJP state unit with former CM Vasundhara Raje again getting a breather.  

    Gehlot’s credibility and BJP’s new experiment with the Sangh leadership were both at stake in these bypolls. Experts believe that Gehlot is miles ahead of Pilot in the war of supremacy in Rajasthan Congress. Although Pilot had initially held meetings with Gehlot for both the seats, the electoral reins remained in the hands of Gehlot and state unit president Govind Singh Dotasra.

    While Gehlot can send a message to the high command that his popularity remains intact, the hands of Dotasra are also strengthened. The calls for handing over the PCC command to Pilot will also become faint. “BJP has come third and fourth in both the by-elections and I think it is all due to the hard work of the Congress party workers. This is a victory of Rajasthan and the good governance that is being done under the leadership of our CM,” Dotasra said. 

    In the BJP, many leaders from the RSS camp including the likes of state president Satish Poonia and LoP Gulabchand Kataria are likely to face serious questions over their choices and leadership.   For Vasundhara Raje, the results can be a case to recast her as the undisputed leader of the BJP. In Vallabhnagar, the BJP was hoping that it would at least save credibility. Instead, it got far less votes than Janta Sena candidate who is known to be close to Raje. 

  • Gehlot visits late BJP MLA’s house ahead of Dhariawad bypolls; BJP takes a swipe

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday visited the residence of Gautam Lal Meena, BJP MLA from Dhariawad who died on May 19 this year, and paid tributes, which the saffron party derisively dubbed as “political condolences”.

    The BJP questioned the timing of the visit that came before campaigning was to end on Wednesday for the October 30 bypolls in Dhariawad (Pratapgarh) and Vallabhnagar (Udaipur) assembly constituencies.

    Gehlot reached Lasadia village in Udaipur by helicopter to address a meeting in support of the party candidate Nagraj Meena.

    Before the meeting, the chief minister reached the house of Gautam Lal Meena, whose demise has necessitated the bye-election, and met his son Kanhaiya Lal Meena.

    He offered floral tributes to Gautam Lal Meena and stayed there for a while.

    Later, the chief minister addressed a rally and sought votes in the name of works done by his government.

    When the chief minister was addressing the public meeting, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Rajendra Rathore took to Twitter to question the timing of Gehlot’s visit to the late BJP MLA’s residence.

    “Thanks for political condolences by @ashokgehlot51 six months after the demise of Dhariawad MLA Gautam Lal Meena and a day before campaigning ends for bypolls. What wonderful timing!” he tweeted.

    Gehlot hit back, saying: “They have a problem with my visit to Meena’s house. They are saying that I am indulging in politics. If they are so concerned, why didn’t they give the ticket to Gautam Lal Meena’s son in the bypolls?” Gehlot said that had Gautam Lal Meena’s son been given the BJP ticket, he would have still visited his residence before the meeting to express condolences.

    In his next meeting in Jhallara (Udaipur), Gehlot said that being the leader of the house of 200 legislators, it is his duty to visit if a member dies.

    He asked what wrong did he do in visiting the residence of Meena Lal Meena during bypolls? “Am I carrying any (EVM) machine with me that I will get the vote cast there (at his home)?” he quipped.

    The BJP, which persuaded Kanhaiya Lal to withdraw his nomination, has fielded former Sarpanch Sangh president Khet Singh Meena from Dhariawad (Pratapgarh).

    The party has fielded Himmat Singh Jhala from Vallabhnagar (Udaipur).

    The bypolls have been necessitated due to the demise of Gautam Lal Meena and Congress MLA from Vallabhnagar, Gajendra Singh Shaktawat.

    The polling will take place on October 30 and counting of votes on November 2.

    The campaigning for the bypolls will end at 5 PM Wednesday.

    Apart from Lasadia and Jhallara (both in Udaipur), Gehlot also addressed public meetings in Mungana (Pratapgarh) and Kurawad (Udaipur) and sought votes in support of the party candidates.

    Lasadia, Jhallara and Mungana fall under Dhariawad assembly constituency, while Kurawad is in Vallabhnagar constituency.

  • Gehlot says Rajasthan fully capable of combating possible third wave of COVID-19

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday inaugurated medical infrastructure in Rajasthan and said that the state is now fully capable of combating a possible third wave of COVID-19.

    He said that the state government has developed high-quality health facilities on a large scale in the state and the medical infrastructure has been strengthened from the state capital to villages.

    Gehlot inaugurated NICU, PICU, ICU, oxygen generation and liquid medical oxygen plants at medical institutions in the state on Sunday.

    He also inaugurated projects worth Rs 231.66 crore and laid the foundation stone of works worth Rs 50.61 crore. In a statement, the chief minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. In many countries, including the UK and Russia, the situation has become serious again.

    Cases have also started increasing in many states. In such a situation, alertness and vigilance are extremely important. The state government saved the lives of many people by managing the situation excellently during the first and second waves of the pandemic, he said.

    “Our efforts are being appreciated in the country and the world,” he added. Gehlot said that the state government has strengthened all the essential health services, increased the number of testing facilities, set up a genome sequencing facility, achieved self-sufficiency in oxygen production and increased ICU beds to combat the potential third wave of the pandemic.

    Health Minister Raghu Sharma said that during the second wave, the entire country faced an oxygen crisis but the Rajasthan government ensured availability of the life-saving gas in the state. “Now we are completing the work of setting up oxygen plants on priority,” he said.

  • ‘Will be around for 10-15 years’: Confident Gehlot plans to remain CM even after next elections in Rajasthan

    By Express News Service

    JAIPUR: Amid speculations that after Punjab, Rajasthan could see major changes, CM Ashok Gehlot has asserted that he is not going anywhere and will be around for another 10-15 years. His comments at the launch ceremony of “Prashasan Shahron aur Gawon ke Sang” campaign in Jaipur on Saturday have created a big buzz. Political corridors from Jaipur to Delhi are busy deciphering the veiled messages which the Congress veteran has tried to convey to his rivals within and outside his party.

    The senior Congress leader has been involved in a battle of wits with the Congress high command over sharing of power with the rival camp led by former deputy CM Sachin Pilot. A super confident Gehlot claimed that his government would complete its full tenure of five years and he would be active for the next 15-odd years. Gehlot said all speculations of an overhaul in Rajasthan after the change of guard in Punjab were “wrong and unfounded”.

    Far from being diffident, CM Gehlot has asserted that the Congress government would not only complete its five years but would also come back to power in the next Assembly elections in Rajasthan. “There is no anti-incumbency factor against our government. We have obtained authentic feedback from the people,” Gehlot remarked.

    CM Gehlot’s comments about the government’s stability are seen as an indirect counter to the Pilot camp which has been eager to see a leadership change in the state as in Punjab. Gehlot’s remarks have come at a time when the Congress High Command is facing a major crisis not only due to the mess in Punjab but due to the challenge from the G 23 group which has been targeting the Gandhi family for the past several months.

    Over the four decades of his political career, CM Gehlot has been well known for the timing and content of his statements. At a time when his critics in the Pilot camp are expecting a major overhaul in Rajasthan through cabinet reshuffle and political appointments, CM Gehlot has tried to turn the political tide to his advantage.

    Most political observers believe that CM Gehlot’s comments were directed at the rival camp in Congress led by his former deputy Sachin Pilot though he did not take any names. The 70-year-old Congress veteran has clearly asserted that he still has strong support at the ground level and unlike Amarinder Singh in Punjab, dislodging him in Rajasthan is simply not possible for the moment.

    Gehlot also asserted that his UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal will retain the same portfolio in the next government also. A signal that Gehlot plans to stay as chief minister if the Congress wins the next assembly election.

    “Dhariwal Ji has worked very hard will again make him UDH Minister next time also ” asserted Gehlot in one of his statement.

    CM Gehlot even referred to his recent angioplasty and thanked the people of the state for sending their wishes and prayers for his well-being. Significantly, however, the Chief Minister made no mention of the issue of Cabinet reshuffle as well as political appointments, which have been inordinately delayed. MLAs from the Pilot camp have been anxiously waiting for inclusion in the Cabinet and political positions ever since an assurance was given by the Congress high command but Gehlot has so far refused to accommodate them.

    For many months CM Gehlot has been resisting pressure from not just the Pilot camp but even the Congress high command over Cabinet reshuffle and other political appointments. Pilot was sacked both as the Deputy CM and the Pradesh Congress president after he and his 18 loyalist MLAs staged a rebellion against CM Gehlot in July last year. With his latest remarks, the wily Gehlot has signalled that he is in no hurry and will carry out the reshuffle only according to his own judgement.

    Rajasthan can have a maximum of 30 Ministers and with a present strength of 21, nine slots are vacant in the Council of Ministers.

     

  • ‘Will be around for 15-20 years’: Confident Gehlot plans to remain Rajasthan CM even after next elections

    By Express News Service

    JAIPUR: Amid speculations that after Punjab, Rajasthan could see major changes, CM Ashok Gehlot has asserted that he is not going anywhere and will be around for another 15-20 years. His comments at the launch ceremony of “Prashasan Shahron aur Gawon ke Sang” campaign in Jaipur on Saturday have created a big buzz. Political corridors from Jaipur to Delhi are busy deciphering the veiled messages which the Congress veteran has tried to convey to his rivals within and outside his party.

    The senior Congress leader has been involved in a battle of wits with the Congress high command over sharing of power with the rival camp led by former deputy CM Sachin Pilot. A super confident Gehlot claimed that his government would complete its full tenure of five years and he would be active for the next 15-odd years. Gehlot said all speculations of an overhaul in Rajasthan after the change of guard in Punjab were “wrong and unfounded”.

    Far from being diffident, CM Gehlot has asserted that the Congress government would not only complete its five years but would also come back to power in the next Assembly elections in Rajasthan. “There is no anti-incumbency factor against our government. We have obtained authentic feedback from the people,” Gehlot remarked.

    CM Gehlot’s comments about the government’s stability are seen as an indirect counter to the Pilot camp which has been eager to see a leadership change in the state as in Punjab. Gehlot’s remarks have come at a time when the Congress High Command is facing a major crisis not only due to the mess in Punjab but due to the challenge from the G 23 group which has been targeting the Gandhi family for the past several months.

    Over the four decades of his political career, CM Gehlot has been well known for the timing and content of his statements. At a time when his critics in the Pilot camp are expecting a major overhaul in Rajasthan through cabinet reshuffle and political appointments, CM Gehlot has tried to turn the political tide to his advantage.

    Most political observers believe that CM Gehlot’s comments were directed at the rival camp in Congress led by his former deputy Sachin Pilot though he did not take any names. The 70-year-old Congress veteran has clearly asserted that he still has strong support at the ground level and unlike Amarinder Singh in Punjab, dislodging him in Rajasthan is simply not possible for the moment.

    Gehlot also asserted that his UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal will retain the same portfolio in the next government also. A signal that Gehlot plans to stay as chief minister if the Congress wins the next assembly election.

    “Dhariwal Ji has worked very hard will again make him UDH Minister next time also ” asserted Gehlot in one of his statement.

    CM Gehlot even referred to his recent angioplasty and thanked the people of the state for sending their wishes and prayers for his well-being. Significantly, however, the Chief Minister made no mention of the issue of Cabinet reshuffle as well as political appointments, which have been inordinately delayed. MLAs from the Pilot camp have been anxiously waiting for inclusion in the Cabinet and political positions ever since an assurance was given by the Congress high command but Gehlot has so far refused to accommodate them.

    For many months CM Gehlot has been resisting pressure from not just the Pilot camp but even the Congress high command over Cabinet reshuffle and other political appointments. Pilot was sacked both as the Deputy CM and the Pradesh Congress president after he and his 18 loyalist MLAs staged a rebellion against CM Gehlot in July last year. With his latest remarks, the wily Gehlot has signalled that he is in no hurry and will carry out the reshuffle only according to his own judgement.

    Rajasthan can have a maximum of 30 Ministers and with a present strength of 21, nine slots are vacant in the Council of Ministers.

  • PM should clarify which states demanded to buy vaccines to inoculate people aged 18-44 years: Gehlot

    #39;To my knowledge, no state had made such a demand. The PM #39;s advisors seem to have given him wrong information, #39; he wrote on Twitter.

  • Gehlot apprises Sonia Gandhi of COVID-19 situation in Rajasthan

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Amid the spiralling number of COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday apprised Congress president Sonia Gandhi of the coronavirus crisis in the state, sources in the chief minister’s office (CMO) said.

    Speaking to Gandhi on phone, Gehlot informed her about the shortage of oxygen tankers and medicines for COVID-19 patients in the state, they said.

    Meanwhile, a Group of Ministers (GoM) comprising Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Urban Development Minister Shanti Dhariwal and Energy Minister B D Kalla reached Delhi on Tuesday to meet Union ministers and officials to apprise them of the shortage of oxygen and medicines in the state, an official spokesperson said.

    They will meet Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, among others, for the resolution of these issues, the spokesperson said.

    On Monday, Rajasthan registered 16,438 fresh COVID-19 cases that pushed the state’s total tally to 5,30,875. With a record daily rise of 84 fatalities, the death toll climbed to 3,685, according to an official report.

  • CM Kejriwal and Gehlot demand central government to stop all flights coming from UK

     As the news broke out that a new mutation of coronavirus has emerged in the UK, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urged the Centre to ban all flights from the country.

    “New mutation of coronavirus has emerged in the United Kingdom, which is a super-spreader. I urge the central government to ban all flights from the UK immediately,” Kejriwal tweeted.

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday also urged the Centre to ban all flights from the UK and other European countries after the emergence of a new strain of novel coronavirus.

    The new strain of novel coronavirus emerging in the UK is a matter of great concern. Government must take prompt action, prepare a contingency plan to contain the same and also immediately ban all flights from the UK and other European countries,” said Gehlot in a series of tweets.

    Rajasthan CM further said that our medical experts must be ready with a treatment plan in case of any outbreak of the new strain of the virus.

    “India needs both a preparedness plan as well as steps to restrict any movement from affected country or countries. Our medical experts must be ready with a treatment plan in case of any outbreak of the new strain of virus. Health protocols must be adhered to even more strictly,” he added.