Jaipur, March 26 (NationPress) Rajasthan's Leader of Opposition (LoP) and senior Congress leader, Tika Ram Jully, expressed his support for the BJP's 'Saugat-e-Modi' initiative, emphasizing that it will promote communal harmony and brotherhood across the nation.

Nevertheless, he raised concerns about the BJP's resistance to the four percent reservation for the Muslim community in Karnataka, labeling it a manifestation of the “double standards” of the Modi administration.

LoP Jully accused the BJP government in Rajasthan of breaching constitutional protocols in the Assembly.

He criticized the Rajasthan Ministers for their lack of preparation during discussions, highlighting that the BJP government had to send three significant Bills to a select committee due to inadequate preparation from its leaders.

Below are highlights from his exclusive interview with IANS:

IANS: The BJP has recently introduced the 'Saugat-e-Modi' initiative, which aims to distribute Eid gift packages to 32 lakh economically disadvantaged Muslim families. What is your opinion on this initiative?

Tika Ram Jully: We commend this initiative as it aims to reinforce communal harmony and brotherhood in the nation. However, we question the underlying motive—are these actions politically driven, or is there a genuine cause behind them? Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Banswara was critical of the minority community, and several BJP leaders have previously made hate speeches. This unexpected announcement raises eyebrows. When the Congress government in Karnataka proposed reservations for Muslims, the BJP opposed it and continues to protest against it. This highlights the BJP's double standards. The reservation in Karnataka aligns with constitutional provisions, yet they contest it while simultaneously initiating a Muslim outreach program. Our nation is celebrated for its unity in diversity, and this identity must be safeguarded.

IANS: The Assembly's budget session has recently concluded, but Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Govind Singh Dotasra has been boycotting the session due to his dispute with Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani. What is your perspective on this situation?

Tika Ram Jully: I would like to question the Assembly Speaker for permitting discussions on topics that were not officially presented. Additionally, why did he make a derogatory comment to a four-time MLA, implying that he was unfit to be in the House? In our democracy, it is the people and the Constitution that determine an individual's status as an MLA. I formally requested that these remarks be expunged from the record, but they remain unaddressed. Had they been, PCC Chief Dotasra would have participated in the session. I am still waiting for a reply to my request. It was highly undemocratic to discuss issues regarding an absent MLA. The House deliberated on matters not officially recorded, breaching parliamentary norms. Furthermore, the state government made no attempts for mutual resolution when the Opposition exited.

IANS: Veteran leaders like former CM Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot did not raise questions during this budget session. Do you believe this is appropriate from the opposition's standpoint?

Tika Ram Jully: They (Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot) are seasoned Congress leaders, and perhaps they opted to allow new voices to take the spotlight. Interestingly, veteran BJP leader and former CM Vasundhara Raje also refrained from asking questions. Perhaps the same reasoning applies in that case.

IANS: You have accused the state government of intentionally avoiding a debate on the power supply situation. Why?

Tika Ram Jully: This reflects a failure on the part of the state government, which did not permit a debate on power supply even when the discussion on the power crisis had been sanctioned, but was subsequently canceled. The Speaker was prepared for the debate, yet the state government was not, leading to its cancellation. Crucial topics like power, water, and law and order must be addressed. Previously, they evaded discussion about law and order, and this time they canceled the power debate. This is particularly alarming as Rajasthan grapples with a severe power crisis.

Last year, the BJP government blamed the Congress for the power crisis, citing an agreement made during our time in office. However, that agreement has since expired, so why are farmers still receiving only five hours of power supply, frequently experiencing outages? The government could have utilized this opportunity to clarify the state's power supply plans for the summer, yet they chose to remain silent.

It is evident that the ruling BJP government arrived unprepared for the budget session, as, for the first time in history since 1952, three Bills were sent to the Select Committee in one session.

IANS: This year, Rajasthan Day is being celebrated according to the Hindu calendar on Hindu Nav Varsh (New Year). What are your thoughts on this?

Tika Ram Jully: The choice to celebrate Rajasthan Day according to the Hindu calendar will lead to confusion for students and educators, as the date will vary each year. Additionally, beneficiaries of various government programs have been instructed to wait until Rajasthan Day to receive their benefits. Such programs should be executed promptly rather than postponed for symbolic celebrations.

IANS: PCC Chief Dotasra has accused the state government of postponing panchayat elections. Why did your party hold a press conference on this matter?

Tika Ram Jully: The 'One Nation, One Election' initiative is beyond our comprehension. The Chief Minister discusses 'One State, One Election,' yet the position of Jila Pramukh in his own locality has remained vacant for over a year. The Constitution requires that elections be conducted within six months of the due date. If the government intends to amend the law, it must do so. Otherwise, elections must occur on schedule. Panchayat elections should have already taken place, but the state government has extended the term of sarpanches, infringing upon constitutional norms. We plan to take this issue to court, and we are confident that the government will encounter legal repercussions for this delay.