Modi seeking vote in name of caste, religion instead of devp: Gehlot
BARMER: Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks votes in the name of caste and religion instead of focusing on development, said former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday. Gehlot was addressing a public meeting in support of his son and Congress candidate Vaibhav Gehlot from Jalore Lok Sabha seat in Sanchore.
He said that it should be the public’s responsibility “to make or break the government, but unfortunately, the BJP is engaging in this practice”. Gehlot alleged: “By earning money through electoral bonds and by misusing central agencies (such as the ED and CBI), the Bharatiya Janata Party has toppled governments in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and many other places.”
“They succeeded in buying 50 MLAs in Maharashtra, each for ₹50 crore... placed bids worth ₹35 crore in Madhya Pradesh. However, their endeavours in Rajasthan were unsuccessful, and our government completed a full five-year term, which is considered a significant achievement by the people.”
Claiming to be a staunch supporter of cows and Lord Ram, Gehlot said his government spent “₹3,000 crore on cow welfare, whereas the former BJP government in the state only spent ₹500 crore”. “People of the BJP are distributing certificates of ( being a) Ram Bhakt (devotee) but they should remember that we are also Hindus and since our childhood we have been greeting by saying Ram-Ram-Sa,” Gehlot said.Gehlot attacked the BJP for misusing the central agencies saying: “At present, the democracy is in danger, democratic institutions are in danger and even the constitution of BR Ambedkar is in danger.”
Responding to Gehlot’s remarks, BJP leader Ramesh Inda said that Congress leaders are completely disappointed after facing continuous defeats as the people have rejected them. “Due to this, earlier in the name of EVM and now in the name of ‘democracy in danger’, they are trying to mislead the people,” said Inda. “They should be reminded that they have betrayed the people for over 70 years and now the people will not fall into their trap,” he said.