Did BJP Conspire to Overthrow Congress Government in Rajasthan?

Jodhpur, June 26 (NationPress) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot vehemently criticized the Narendra Modi government on Thursday, alleging a high-stakes conspiracy orchestrated by senior BJP leaders aimed at overthrowing his democratically elected administration.

In a media briefing held in Jodhpur, Gehlot asserted that Union Ministers Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had collaborated in an effort to destabilize his government during his term, but their attempts were unsuccessful.

“Our government was the only one in the nation that they could not dislodge,” Gehlot stated.

“While they managed to change governments in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, they fell short in Rajasthan, despite their efforts to bribe members within our party. I possess evidence indicating that cash was funneled to MLAs,” he elaborated.

Gehlot raised concerns about the “health” of Indian democracy, accusing the BJP of engaging in horse trading and political sabotage.

“Consider the staggering amounts being offered to purchase MLAs - Rs 25 crore, Rs 35 crore, Rs 50 crore. In Maharashtra, the sums are beyond imagination. Is this the standard of democracy? Today, those very individuals are commemorating Constitution Day,” he remarked.

The former Chief Minister also cautioned that intertwining religion with politics would dismantle the nation’s social fabric. “If you persist with politics in the name of ‘Hindu-Hindu’, the nation will face ruin,” he cautioned.

Reflecting on the historical imposition of the Emergency in 1975, Gehlot noted that the Congress party acknowledged its missteps.

“The Emergency was declared, errors were made, and we faced the repercussions. The Congress offered an apology. Indira Gandhi herself faced electoral defeat. I too lost in 1977. Yet, within just two years, a wave of public support returned us to power with a significant majority. Why? Because the populace recognized the positive outcomes of that era,” he explained.

Gehlot highlighted the developmental initiatives during the Emergency, especially the 20-point scheme launched by Sanjay and Indira Gandhi.

“People still reminisce about the discipline prevalent during that time. Offices adhered to their schedules. It was a declared Emergency. However, today we face an undeclared one - how many journalists and writers are imprisoned today, and no one even knows. The government conceals these statistics,” he remarked.

Concerning the current governance landscape in Rajasthan, Gehlot stated the public feels disillusioned and the administration appears aimless.

“Previously, officials were accountable. Today, where can we turn? Ministers are unreachable, and even the Chief Minister's doors are shut. The situation is precarious.”

Since the rebellion by several Congress MLAs in 2020 during Ashok Gehlot's administration, he has continuously accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize his government through substantial monetary inducements to Congress MLAs.