In a fiery political address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a sharp critique of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s leadership, emphasizing the lack of substantial development in the state over the past five years. As the BJP gears up for the forthcoming assembly election, PM Modi has taken the forefront in the party’s bid to challenge the ruling Congress.
“The lotus will bloom in Rajasthan,” declared PM Modi, alluding to the BJP’s election symbol, as he launched a high-octane campaign against the incumbent government.
During his address, PM Modi raised the contentious issue of the “Rajasthan red diary” controversy, suggesting that it concealed a litany of “black deeds.” The red diary made headlines in July when MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha asserted that it could potentially “expose” Chief Minister Gehlot. Gudha alleged that the diary, reportedly belonging to Dharmendra Rathore, a close aide of Gehlot, contained details of payments made by Gehlot’s camp to legislators, independents, and others to secure his government’s stability during the 2020 rebellion led by Sachin Pilot.
“All the black deeds are in the red diary, and everyone is involved in corruption and irregularities. Why would anyone invest in such a state? Incidents occurred, and the government took no action. With such an atmosphere prevailing, why would anyone consider investing in the state? The Congress is allowing criminals to act with impunity… A government that fails to safeguard the dignity of women should be removed,” asserted PM Modi.
The Rajasthan assembly election is slated to take place later this year, with the Congress and the BJP engaged in a direct contest. Both parties have alternately formed the government in Rajasthan following elections since 1993.
The BJP in Rajasthan has focused heavily on combating crimes against women and empowering them. The party has frequently criticized the Congress in Rajasthan for its alleged inadequacies in addressing women’s issues.
“For years, women had been awaiting the implementation of 33 percent reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. I haven’t accomplished this; it is the power of your vote that has made it happen,” PM Modi declared during his 32-minute speech at the ‘Parivartan Sankalp’ rally in Jaipur.
Prior to addressing the gathering in Jaipur, PM Modi paid homage to BJP’s ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary.
In the 2018 assembly election, the Congress secured 99 seats while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member assembly. The Congress then formed the government with the support of independent members and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). As the political landscape intensifies in Rajasthan, the upcoming election promises to be a significant battleground for both major parties.
Sources By Agencies