Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has clarified his “circus” statement, emphasising that the public ultimately decides the effectiveness of any government. He expressed that his remarks about Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma were made out of concern for his welfare, noting Sharma’s frequent travels between Delhi and Jaipur. Gehlot pointed out that the initial impression of Sharma’s government among the public has not been positive.
“Today, Congress is discussed in every village thanks to our initiatives,” Gehlot said, suggesting that Sharma conduct a survey to gauge public sentiment regarding his administration. He emphasised that if Sharma seeks attention as chief minister, it is his responsibility to deliver benefits to the people.
“I have no intention of insulting him; my comments are not meant to be malicious,” Gehlot asserted.
He added that members of Sharma’s own party have described the situation as chaotic, likening it to a circus.
“The most important opinion is that of the people of Rajasthan, which is beyond anyone’s control,” he concluded.
Gehlot remarked on the political landscape, acknowledging that his party also faced election losses.
“What didn’t we say to form the government? After taking office, I urged the need to serve the people, especially in these challenging times. The public must benefit, and if the opposition raises concerns, they should be taken seriously as constructive feedback.”
He criticised the current government’s approach to opposition criticism, stating, “When I was in power, we didn’t send multiple ministers to counter every statement. These officials are too focused on responding to me instead of addressing the issues at hand.”
On the topic of inflation relief, Gehlot questioned the rationale behind discontinuing the inflation relief kits, stating, “What do the people of the state think? This government has been in power for only 8-10 months, yet they continuously blame the previous administration. What kind of governance is happening in every department? People are struggling to receive their pensions, and crucial dengue prevention measures are being overlooked.” He pointed out that many beneficial schemes from his tenure have been shut down.
“We initiated ration kits to provide relief during inflation, but now they’ve been discontinued. You can rebrand the initiative under your name, but why close a program that was helping the people? Many schemes are either being terminated or weakened,” he concluded.