Jaipur, March 30 (IANS). Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday gave a strong reply to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s comments, saying his son never resided in the chief minister’s official residence. He lived independently in a rented house.
On CM Bhajan Lal’s comments, Gehlot said that the Chief Minister should focus on governance instead of speculating on the internal affairs of the Congress party. Talking to journalists in Jaipur, he said that who is paying attention to what we say or not is not a matter of your concern. These are our internal matters. You should answer questions related to your government.
The reaction came when the Chief Minister, while addressing a gathering in Jamwaramgarh on Sunday, took a jibe at Gehlot, claiming that nowadays no one in Delhi is paying attention to him and people whom he had once criticized are now in influential positions. Gehlot rejected these comments and questioned the government’s responses to the opposition’s questions.
He said that just look at the questions that we are raising and look at the answers that are being given. I ask something specific and they give completely different answers. Even I don’t understand his answers. Criticizing the Chief Minister’s advisory team, he suggested that poor advice could damage the government’s credibility. The Chief Minister himself should review the answers and think again about the advisors around him.
Clarifying on his previous comments, Gehlot said that his statement about keeping family members away from governance is being misinterpreted. I never said that family members should stay away from politics. I just said that he should be kept away from government work. He stressed that there was nothing wrong in family members entering politics. Gehlot said that sons, daughters or relatives should come forward in politics. Their participation can benefit from the experience of senior leaders and strengthen the next generation.
During this, the former Chief Minister also raised many issues related to governance, including the delay in Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections and the absence of student union elections in colleges and universities. He asked why elections are not being held? Don’t you want to encourage the youth? These developments are unfortunate. Gehlot urged the Chief Minister to have a strong grip on the administration.
He further said that you are a good person. Please take charge, tighten the reins, and review your advisory team. Public concerns are increasing, and the government will have to respond appropriately.
–IANS
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