Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday, 8 June launched a sharp counter-offensive against former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, rejecting Gehlot's characterisation of him as a 'fearful man' and turning the allegation squarely back on the Congress veteran. The escalating war of words between the two Rajasthan political heavyweights has now spilled onto social media, with Shekhawat posting a pointed rebuttal on X directly tagging Gehlot.

Shekhawat's Rebuttal on X

In his post, Shekhawat invoked the legacy of the revered Rajput warrior Veer Durgadas Rathore to underscore his defiance. 'I am a devoted follower of the revered tradition of Veer Durgadas Rathore ji, Gehlot ji. Fear does not run in my blood,' he wrote. He went further, alleging that it was Gehlot himself who was gripped by the fear of political irrelevance. 'On the contrary, it is the fear of your own irrelevance that constantly troubles you. That is why you continue speaking against me relentlessly. The truth is that if I were not around, your politics would have ended altogether,' Shekhawat said.

Attack on Gehlot's Political Career

Shekhawat also took a direct swipe at what he described as Gehlot's lifelong attachment to power. 'I am not a servant of any one family like you are. Your entire political life stands as proof of your obsession with posts and clinging to power. Therefore, I certainly do not need any certificate from you,' the Union Minister said. He added that while Gehlot may pursue 'politics of diversion and distraction,' he himself remained committed to public service, with 'time itself' set to provide answers.

What Gehlot Said First

The exchange was triggered a day earlier when Gehlot, speaking to reporters in Jaipur, described Shekhawat as a 'ghabraya hua aadmi' — a worried man — and suggested the minister was uncertain about retaining his Cabinet berth. 'He should focus on saving his ministerial position. Otherwise, he may be relieved of it at any time,' Gehlot had said. The former Chief Minister also revived allegations linked to the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam, claiming Shekhawat had failed to obtain relief from courts in matters connected to the case. Gehlot alleged his government had spent nearly 22 months investigating the issue and prepared a detailed technical report, and that the subsequent change of government influenced later developments.

The Sanjivani Scam Backdrop

Notably, Gehlot clarified that despite the gravity of the allegations, his Congress government had proceeded cautiously and did not order any arrest during its tenure. The Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society case has been a recurring flashpoint between the two leaders, with each side accusing the other of misusing the investigation for political ends. This is the latest in a long series of public confrontations between Shekhawat and Gehlot spanning governance disputes, corruption allegations, and questions of political survival.

A Long-Running Rivalry

The Shekhawat-Gehlot rivalry is one of Rajasthan's most closely watched political contests, with both leaders commanding significant influence in the state. Critics argue the intensifying rhetoric reflects broader anxieties within both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) as Rajasthan's political landscape continues to shift following the 2023 assembly election. With neither side showing any sign of de-escalation, the feud is likely to remain a defining subplot of the state's political narrative in the months ahead.