Jaipur, Nov 14 (NationPress) The former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, a prominent Congress figure, expressed his disappointment over the Bihar election results on Friday, alleging significant misuse of financial resources during the elections.

Addressing a gathering at the State Congress Headquarters, Gehlot claimed that Rs 10,000 was disbursed to each woman during the Bihar election campaign, which he believes had a profound impact on the results.

He accused the authorities of distributing money even while the campaign was ongoing — a practice he argued had never been seen before. He mentioned that women received cash in their bank accounts just one day prior to the voting, which he stated directly undermined the integrity of the electoral process.

Gehlot emphasized that during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in Rajasthan, his government promptly halted the distribution of mobile phones, and even paused pensions for the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities to adhere to election regulations. In stark contrast, he claimed that pensions and direct cash transfers were openly continued in Bihar during the elections, attributing this as a key factor for the Congress’ defeat.

He criticized the Election Commission, asserting that it should have intervened to prevent the monetary distribution during the election period but failed to act. He highlighted that while the Commission rigorously enforced rules in Rajasthan — stopping pension distributions and mobile phone giveaways — it overlooked similar or more egregious violations in Bihar.

Gehlot echoed the sentiments of former Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, who has frequently discussed 'vote theft,' emphasizing that the situation in Bihar strongly reflects this notion.

He remarked that if elections are not conducted justly, if money is misappropriated, and if the Commission remains silent, then it equates to vote theft.

Gehlot further noted that the misuse of financial power has escalated to unprecedented levels, using Maharashtra as an example, and urged people to investigate the alleged sums of money given to candidates in that region.

He reaffirmed that the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) lack such financial clout.

In conclusion, Gehlot stated that despite Narendra Modi having served as Prime Minister three times, he firmly believes that the country needs the Congress' ideology moving forward. “It is in the nation’s interest. The country needs Congress,” he asserted.