Jaipur: AICC general secretary and former chief minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot said that the way the BJP has been appropriating Congress icons, a day is not far when they will hail former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru whom they criticise for everything.
Hitting out at the PM’s fast, the former chief minister said that those who opposed Gandhiji and Congress are now following his methods and appropriating Congress leaders like Sardar Patel. A day will come when they will start calling Jawaharlal Nehru their leader.
Claiming that there is huge resentment among people against the BJP government, he took a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “Achche din aa rahe hain, kyoki Narendra Modi jaa rahe hain (good days are coming as Narendra Modi is on his way out).”
Mr Gehlot asserted, “He will not be Prime Minister after 2019.”
Speaking to media after visiting former Congress minister Bharosi Lal Jatav whose house was burnt by a mob consisting of OBC and general category members in retaliation to violence caused during Bharat Bandh by dalits on April 2, Mr Gehlot said that the attack was a blot on the state government.
“There cannot be a bigger blot on the state government if a sitting BJP MLA and former Congress minister’s houses were attacked in the presence of police. The SP and district collector were present on the spot, but no attempt was made to control the mob. Rather, they asked the families of these leaders to leave the place at night,” Mr Gehlot said.
Holding the RSS and BJP responsible for this situation, he said that they talk about Hindutva, but creating a division within society on caste lines.
The RSS never bothered about untouchability and discrimination against dalits while the CM has been holding lunch and dinner meetings with people on caste basis, he alleged.
Sensing a conspiracy, Mr Gehlot asked why the precautions taken during the April 10 bandh were not observed for Bharat Bandh on April 2.
“If adequate steps were taken, 11 people would not have lost their lives. Doesn’t it mean that the BJP government cares little about the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes,” he said.
Now the police have started arresting the members of dalit communities, including doctors, engineers and professors, while those who took law into their hands have been released on bail, he alleged.
The chief minister has no moral authority to remain in power. There is a complete breakdown of law and order. In the remaining eight months of this government, things will get worse, he said.
