Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a BJP campaign in Rajasthan
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attacked Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over stagnant development in the state over the past five years. Ahead of the Assembly elections, the BJP has launched a high-octane campaign to dethrone the ruling Congress, with Prime Minister Modi leading the BJP battle formation.
“The lotus will blossom in Rajasthan,” PM Modi said, referring to the BJP’s election symbol.
He raised the controversy over Rajasthan’s “red diary” and said that all “black deeds” are hidden in that diary.
The Red Diary had led to dramatic scenes at the rally in Rajasthan in July when MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha said it could ‘expose’ Mr Gehlot. Mr Gudha had claimed that the diary belonged to Dharmendra Rathore, a close aide of the Chief Minister, and contained details of payments made by the Gehlot camp to MLAs, independents and others to save his government during the 2020 riots under led by Sachin Pilot.
‘All black acts are in the red agenda and everyone is involved in corruption and austerity. Why would anyone invest in such a state? Someone has been beheaded and the government has done nothing. Why would anyone invest when there is such an atmosphere in The State? Congress is giving a free hand to criminals… A government that cannot protect the dignity of women must be removed,” PM Modi said.
The Assembly elections in Rajasthan are scheduled for later this year. The ruling Congress is in direct conflict with the BJP. Both parties have alternately formed governments in Rajasthan in every election since 1993.
The BJP’s Rajasthan is mainly focused on stopping crime against women and empowering them. The party has often alleged that the Congress has done little for women in Rajasthan.
“For many years, women had been waiting for 33 per cent reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. I did not do this, but the power of your voice made this happen,” PM Modi said in his 32-minute speech at the ‘Parivartan Sankalp rally in Jaipur.
He reached Jaipur after addressing a meeting in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh is also one of the five states that will hold assembly elections later this year.
Before addressing the gathering in Jaipur, Prime Minister Modi paid floral tributes to BJP’s ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary.
In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats while the BJP captured 73 seats in the 200-member assembly. The Congress then formed a government with the support of independents and the Bahujan Samaj Party.