BJP counters Gehlot’s charges, says he is daydreaming about becoming CM

State panchayati raj minister Rajendra Rathore has said that former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s statement cautioning bureaucrats and calling them corrupt was an attempt to demoralise the officials. Rathore was addressing a press conference at state BJP office on Wednesday. The media interaction was to counter the allegations levelled by the former CM.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot had called a press conference in which he had cautioned bureaucrats to be alert while taking decisions saying that the same could come under inquiry after the change in the government.

“Gehlot ji is daydreaming about becoming chief minister and the Congress returning to power. We condemn his statements, including that on the chief minister and the functioning of the government,” Rathore said.

The minister said that land allocation for political parties was being done in a transparent manner. “The state government is allocating land to political parties recognised by the Election Commission of India after forming a transparent policy. If Congress applies, it will also be allocated land. In Jaipur, 6000 square meters of land is being allocated at DLC plus 15% additional charges while at divisional headquarters 3000 square meter land is being allocated and 2,000 square meter land is being allotted for district headquarters,” he said.

Rathore also countered Gehlot’s allegations against RSS as being baseless saying that RSS had no role in running the government. On Gehlot’s taunt that chief minister was hardly in Jaipur, Rathore said that Raje was spending time touring different parts of the state, unlike Gehlot who did not meet the masses.

On Gehlot’s allegation on mining and bajri (gravel) mafia, Rathore said during the previous Congress regime, 130 big leases were allocated and 102 leases auctioned. “Now, he is levelling allegations based on that allocation. Rathore also countered former CM’s charges on drinking water saying that there was no water crisis. A month-long repair on Indira Gandhi feeder canal had affected supply to 13 districts.