Gehlot must clarify how he was helped by Raje, others during 2020-revolt: Gajendra Shekhawat

Jaipur: Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday asked Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to clarify his remark Vasundhara Raje helped save his government during the 2020-party revolt, saying it was an “irresponsible” statement. Gehlot, while addressing a programme in Dholpur on Sunday, had claimed he survived the 2020-revolt by some Congress MLAs because BJP leaders Vasundhara Raje and Kailash Meghwal refused to support a conspiracy to topple his elected government through money power.

However, Union Jal Shakti Minister Shekhawat did not buy the remark and asked Gehlot to clarify how he was helped.

“Vasundhara Raje is our senior leader. She has been the Chief Minister two times and has also been the state president twice. He gave such an irresponsible statement only for his political benefit and to give a message to his opponents,” Shekhawat said. “I ask Ashok Gehlot to make full disclosure of when, where, and in what way he was supported,” Shekhawat said at a press conference here.

In her turn, Raje said that Gehlot’s “praise” was a “big conspiracy” against her and accused him of lying because of rebellion in his party and its diminishing mass base. Shekhawat said that if Gehlot had evidence to support his claim — that BJP gave money to Congress MLAs – then he should register an FIR against the parties involved.

The court in the May 6 order granted bail to co-accused Rajesh Joshi and Gautam Malhotra in the case and did not acquit them, he said.

“When such kind of press conferences are being held, Delhi High Court should take cognizance of it. It is being done only to influence the judiciary and mislead the public. This is matter of contempt of court,” Bhatia added.

The BJP spokesperson also hit out at AAP national convenor Kejriwal alleging that he came into politics with the promise of eradicating corruption but became “a synonym of corruption” himself.

“Kejriwal is synonymous with corruption…. He is hardcore dishonest and kingpin of the liquor scam,” Bhatia charged.

AAP leaders are holding press conferences and using the court’s bail orders to spread lies and mislead people as Kejriwal is “so scared and worried” about his fate since his deputy Sisodia was arrested in the case, he added.

“If there is no prima facie case, why Manish Sisodia has not got any relief from the court so far. The Supreme Court also declined to entertain his plea,” the BJP spokesperson contended.