Former CM Ashok Gehlot has seriously accused the BJP government of pressuring administrative officials to ensure BJP's victory, fearing the upcoming local body and panchayat elections.
Mr. Gehlot said that the situation in the state has become so alarming that a minister of the BJP government itself had to sit on a dharna against the District Collector and Commissioner for six hours.
He described it as an unprecedented event in administrative history, never seen or heard of before. This raises serious questions about the functioning of the government.
Regarding the local elections, the former Chief Minister questioned the government's intentions, saying that the government did not want to hold elections at all.
"The most tragic thing is that the government is completely scared of the local body and panchayat elections. They never intended to conduct the elections. It was only when the Honorable Judge of the High Court had to say that if the government does not conduct the elections, we will, that they are being forced to hold them. The Chief Minister is calling Collectors and SPs in groups of five and seven and entrusting them with the responsibility of making the BJP win. If I am making such a big allegation, I am saying it with full responsibility and based on concrete feedback."
Gehlot claimed that the Chief Minister himself is calling Collectors and SPs in groups and instructing them to make the BJP win the elections. He said he is making this allegation with full responsibility and based on solid information.
Speaking on the Lohawat blind murder case, Mr. Gehlot expressed concern over the law and order situation.
"Even after 16 days since the murder, the culprits are out of police custody, whereas the administration had given a written promise to catch the accused in five days. Information is being received that despite the police getting clues, the disclosure is not being made due to political pressure. If this is being done to hide the name of an influential person or a relative of a leader, then it is very unfortunate for democracy and the justice system. The Chief Minister and the DGP should clarify the situation to the public on this entire matter."
He suspected that the police have found clues but are not taking action due to political pressure. He demanded that the Chief Minister and the DGP clarify the situation in this matter.
Targeting the BJP on the issue of patriotism, the former Chief Minister said that the BJP and RSS have no moral right to speak on it.
"The RSS and BJP have no moral right to say anything on Vande Mataram. They have had no contribution to the country's freedom struggle. Before independence, they never even sang 'Vande Mataram' for fear of the British. The same 'Vande Mataram' that united the countrymen and was the biggest source of inspiration for the freedom struggle, today the BJP is using that sacred song to divide and break the society and the country."
Expressing concern for the youth and citizens protesting for various demands, Gehlot called the government insensitive.
"This state government does not care one bit about the protestors and those on hunger strike. I appeal to all the protestors not to spoil their health by staying hungry, but to raise their voice by holding dharnas and adopting other democratic methods. In a democracy, the basic duty of the government is to communicate and find solutions, but the current government remains completely insensitive."
The former Chief Minister expressed deep concern over the increasing criminal incidents in the state. He said that the common citizen feels insecure today.
Along with this, he also raised the issue of the poor and needy not getting the benefits of health schemes. He said that the public welfare schemes of the previous government are being weakened, for which the current government has to take responsibility.
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Pradeep Budawat
