Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot sharply criticised the BJP government in Rajasthan, especially over the incident involving Naresh Meena slapping an Additional District Collector during the recent byelection in Uniara. Gehlot, while speaking to the media at Jodhpur airport on Thursday, questioned the government’s competence and said that the state’s law and order situation had deteriorated.
Gehlot accused the government of losing its credibility, stating that law and order in Rajasthan had come to a complete standstill.
He raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Naresh Meena’s participation in the election, asking, “At whose instigation did Naresh Meena stand for election? Why did the situation arise where a person slapped an officer?”
He further remarked that the loss of credibility in the government had led to people taking the law into their own hands.
“When the credibility is lost, people start taking the law into their own hands,” Gehlot added.
The former chief minister, who was in Jodhpur to offer condolences on the passing of his close friend Kishu Singh Gehlot, also visited the Congress office where he paid tribute to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Gehlot’s remarks came amid growing criticism of the BJP’s handling of the state’s law and order situation.
Gehlot questions Meena›s byelection candidacy motive
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot raised questions over the incident in Uniara, asking why such a situation had occurred. He questioned how Naresh Meena came to contest the by-election, pointing out that Meena had previously joined the Congress.
Gehlot speculated that Meena might have been encouraged to contest by certain forces to aid BJP’s victory. He further stated that the Congress party was investigating the matter to uncover the truth behind the incident.
Gehlot’s remarks came in the context of a broader critique of the BJP government’s handling of law and order in the state.
It is believed that Gehlot is trying to corner Pilot once again, because Naresh Meena has been a Pilot supporter, but after not getting the ticket, he entered the fray as an independent.
On the question of abolishing districts, he said that a year is about to pass, repeatedly saying that districts will be abolished. Nothing has happened for one year. No work is being done. The government is not able to take any decision, nothing is happening except review meetings. If the government has doubts on any matter, then the government should take a decision immediately.
A six-month review committee has been formed, but they are not able to take a decision. They are constantly accusing the previous government. How long will you keep accusing? Now the government should tell what they have done in one year.
Gehlot blames eroded government credibility for lawlessness
Commenting on the recent murder in Jodhpur, Gehlot expressed deep concern, stating that such a horrific incident had never been witnessed before, where a murder occurred, and the body was buried in the ground.
He added that the anger among the people was palpable. Gehlot further emphasised that when the credibility of the government erodes, the public loses its fear and starts taking the law into their own hands. He also pointed out that these conditions are prevailing throughout the state. Vasundhara Raje could not express her feelings
Gehlot criticises BJP›s handling of leadership decisions
The former Chief Minister said that Bhajan Lal Sharma became MLA for the first time and BJP made him Chief Minister by using a slip. This is a very big decision. Vasundhara Raje could not express her feelings after getting the slip. Rajnath Singh did not even look at her. In such a situation, the government should work with the ruling and opposition parties.
Gehlot slams government›s inaction on district abolition
Gehlot criticised the state government for its lack of progress on the issue of district abolition. He pointed out that nearly a year had passed since the government repeatedly claimed that districts would be abolished, yet no concrete action had been taken. Gehlot noted that the government had failed to make any decisions, with only review meetings being held. He questioned the government’s inability to act, despite forming a review committee six months ago, and criticised the constant blame placed on the previous administration. Gehlot urged the government to clarify what it had accomplished over the past year.
