Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Archives - Lokmarg

Sachin Pilot’s Phone Was Tapped: Gehlot’s OSD

By LokMarg 5th December 2023

Lokesh Sharma, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the outgoing Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday claimed that the Congress government in the state was monitoring the movements of fellow party leader Sachin Pilot adding that his phone was also being tapped when he was stationed at Manesar with 18 party MLAs in 2020.

He asserted that it was being done on the instructions of Ashok Gehlot to save the Congress government in the state.

Speaking to ANI, Lokesh Sharma said, “During the political crisis in Rajasthan, when Sachin Pilot had gone to Manesar with 18 MLAs, it is natural that state government tracks the movement in such cases. So, the state government was keeping track of Sachin Pilot and the people he was meeting. Sachin Pilot was being monitored on where he was going, and who was he talking on to the phone so that corrective measures could be taken.”

He further said that Congress was able to save its government due to the monitoring of Pilot.

“It was because of the monitoring that we could bring some people back. He was also being chased and all his movements were tracked. I believe Sachin Pilot was aware of this and that he is being monitored,” Lokesh Sharma said.

Lokesh Sharma also emphasized that it is the need of the hour that Congress should bring new and young faces to give tough competition to the BJP.

“We have to face a huge challenge against BJP. The time has come for a change. Young faces have to be promoted. It will improve our performance. Need to bring young faces who have the motivation to do hard work,” he said.

Congress suffered defeat at the hands of the BJP in Rajasthan in the recent Assembly polls. BJP is set to form the government as it registered victory on 115 seats whereas Congress was able to win only 69 seats in a 200-member Assembly. (ANI)

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Gehlot Hands Over Resignation To Governor

By LokMarg 3rd December 2023

As the BJP heads towards victory in the Rajasthan Assembly polls, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot handed over his resignation letter to Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Sunday.

“Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reached Raj Bhavan on Sunday and submitted his resignation from the post of Chief Minister to Governor Kalraj Mishra,” according to a press statement from the Rajasthan governor’s office.

Meanwhile, Governor Mishra accepted the resignation with immediate effect and urged Gehlot to continue working until the formation of the new government in the state, the release stated.

Earlier the Chief Minister in a post on X said that he humbly accepts the mandate given by the public in the state as BJP headed towards victory in Rajasthan Assembly polls.

In a post on X, Gehlot said, “We humbly accept the mandate given by the people of Rajasthan. This is an unexpected result for everyone. This defeat shows that we were not completely successful in taking our plans, laws and innovations to the public.”

He said that the schemes started by him should continue in the new BJP government.

“I wish the new government all the best. My advice to them is that despite working hard, we were not successful, but it does not mean that they should stop working after coming to the government. All the schemes including OPS, Chiranjeevi and the pace of development that we have given to Rajasthan in these five years should be taken forward,” he said.

Ashok Gehlot also thanked the Congress workers and said, “Those party workers who worked hard in this election, I express my gratitude to them and all the voters who believed in us.”

According to recent trends, Gehlot is leading from the Sardarpura constituency with a margin of 26,396 votes against BJP candidate Mahendra Rathore.

Meanwhile, the BJP is leading on 115 seats in a 199-member Assembly. Congress is ahead on 69 seats.

Rajasthan went to the polls on 199 of 200 assembly seats on November 25. The majority mark in the state is 100. In the Karanpur constituency, elections were adjourned due to the passing away of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar. (ANI)

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Unexpected Result For Everyone: Gehlot

By LokMarg 3rd December 2023

As BJP heads towards victory in Rajasthan Assembly polls, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday called it an ‘unexpected result’ and said that he humbly accepts the mandate given by the public in the state.

In a post on X, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “We humbly accept the mandate given by the people of Rajasthan. This is an unexpected result for everyone. This defeat shows that we were not completely successful in taking our plans, laws and innovations to the public.”

He said that the schemes started by him should continue in the new BJP government.

Ashok Gehlot also thanked the Congress workers and said, “Those party workers who worked hard in this election, I express my gratitude to them and all the voters who believed in us.”

According to recent trends, Gehlot is leading from the Sardarpura constituency with a margin of 26,396 votes against BJP candidate Mahendra Rathore.

Meanwhile, the BJP is leading on 115 seats in a 200-member Assembly. Congress is ahead on 69 seats.

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I Am Not Modi, I Do Not Lie: Rahul

By LokMarg 16th November 2023

As the Rajasthan assembly poll date of November 25 nears, Congress’ Rahul Gandhi joined the campaign trail along with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and party leader Sachin Pilot. Speaking at a rally in Churu, Rahul accused the BJP-led Modi government of promoting Adani and big businessmen and alleged that demonetization had finished all small businessmen.

“Narendra Modi implemented GST. For the first time in India, farmers have to pay taxes. He (PM Modi) did demonetization and finished all small businessmen. Wherever you look, Adani is doing some or the other business; airports, ports, cement plants, and roads are all his. So, he works for the rich. He helps Adani; Adani earns money, and that money is used abroad. Foreign companies are purchased,” said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in Churu, Rajasthan.

“(PM) Narendra Modi travels in an aeroplane worth Rs 12,000 crore and a car worth Rs 12 crore. In the last 10 years, have you seen PM Modi with any farmer or labourer or small shopkeeper? You won’t see him. You will see him travelling to the USA in an aeroplane and meeting the US President. You will see his picture with Adani, but not with poor farmers, unemployed youth” the former Congress president further said.

The Congress leader claimed that unlike the BJP he and his party always fulfilled their commitments to the people

” Whatever money there is the BJP has given to the likes of Adani. That money is what I want to give to the people of India, into the pockets of the poor. I am not Narendra Modi, I do not lie or make false promises. What I promise I make sure that is done” Rahul Gandhi said.

Lauding the Congress government of Rajasthan, Rahul Gandhi said, “The state government has worked for you a lot. Remember one thing: if the BJP government is formed here, whatever we did–be it a pension scheme, a health scheme, a Rs 500 gas cylinder, or Rs 10,000 for women–will all be scrapped by them and they will once again start helping billionaires. If you vote for Congress, the poor, farmers, and small businessmen will benefit. Here, we run a government of the poor; we protect you.”

Amid frenzied speculation of infighting among Congress members in Rajasthan, party leader Rahul Gandhi was seen with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Sachin Pilot in Jaipur, saying that “we are not only seen together but we are also united.”

Meanwhile, the BJP’s manifesto outlines several key resolutions aimed at improving the lives of citizens. The party plans to increase the financial assistance provided to farmers under this scheme to Rs 12,000 per year under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

The Laho Incentive Scheme aims to support poor families by providing a savings bond at the birth of their daughters. The bond will mature over time, providing Rs 26,000 in class 6, Rs 18,000 in class 9, Rs 10,000 in class 10, Rs 12,000 in class 11, Rs 14,000 in class 12, Rs 50,000 in the first and last year of vocational courses, and a lump sum of Rs 1 lakh at the age of 21.

BJP also aims to help the economically weaker families’ students, who will receive annual assistance of Rs 1,200 to purchase school bags, books, and uniforms through Direct Benefit Transfer.

It also plans to invest Rs 40,000 crores in the health sector under the Bhamashah Health Infrastructure Mission, which aims to expand and modernize health infrastructure. The party plans to form a Special Investigation Team to quickly investigate paper leak cases and take strict action against the culprits.

Rajasthan is set to undergo assembly polls on November 25 and the counting of votes will be done on December 3.

The BJP won 163 seats in the 2013 Legislative Assembly elections and formed the government in Rajasthan. In the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member House. Gehlot eventually took the oath as CM with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents. (ANI)

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Gehlot Will Be Out Of Work After Dec 3: Sekhawat

By LokMarg 14th November 2023

Taking a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday said the senior Congress leader will be out of work once the results of the November 25 Assembly elections are declared on December 3.

To a question, if he would catch up with Gehlot over tea after the polls are done and dusted, the Union Minister said he would consider meeting the former once the people have dislodged him and the Congress from power.

Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, Sekhawat, who is one of the BJP’s heavyweight campaigners for the November 25 polls, said, “The people of Rajasthan have made up their minds to bring back the BJP. This Congress government is useless, incompetent and corrupt. The people are not just upset but also angry with this government.”

“They have failed to deliver on the promises they made to every section of the society. People across faiths and communities in the state feel defrauded and cheated by this government. The ruling party (Congress) has also sinned in making Rajasthan the country’s rape capital. They have also betrayed farmers, youth and women. They have played with the future of the state’s youth, as their broken promises have served to crush their dreams. The state is also topping the country in terms of exam paper leaks. The people are angry over these issues and are waiting at the chance to dislodge and dump this government,” Sekhawat added.

In a further takedown of CM Gehlot, the Union Minister said, “As for meeting the CM over tea, I am eagerly awaiting the day. He is very busy these days with campaigning et all. However, after 20 days, when the election results are declared, the people will have put him out of work and I will have enough opportunities to catch up with him over tea. And, since he betrayed the high command of his own party, he won’t have any fallback job in Delhi as well. From 1993 till now, whenever the people of Rahasthan freed him from his CM duties, he would go to Delhi and find some role for himself in the Congress high command. Now that his hopes for bagging a fresh role in the high command are all but over, he will have plenty of time after December 3. I am sure that he will invite me to tea someday.”

“The BJP will re-establish the rule of law in Rajasthan and deliver on their promise of good governance. We will liberate the people from the clutches of the mafia and ensure the security of our mothers and sisters. We also provide jobs to the youth and restore social harmony in Rajasthan. This isn’t just a promise but a commitment. Our aim is to form a double-engine government in Rajasthan,” Shekhawat added.

“I strongly believe that we are on course to forming the government here. We will also win Phalodi and other assembly segments in western Rajasthan by huge margins. I am confident that the people of Phalodi will once again bless us with an opportunity to serve Pabbaram Bishnoi-ji,” Shekhawat added.

Earlier, on Tuesday, CM asserted that there was no anti-incumbency in the state and the Congress will be voted back in the November 25 elections.

“There is no anti-incumbency here. Our government has done well to deliver on the promises and fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people. Sensing the public pulse, I can say with confidence that the Congress is on course for a return in Rajasthan. We delivered on the promise of good governance and have provided water, electricity, education, health and better road connectivity to the people. The law and order situation in Rajasthan is also better than in previous years,” the CM told ANI on the sidelines of the Congress’s Guarantee Yatra here.

The counting of votes for the Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled for December 3. (ANI)

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Sachin Pilot Drafted Into CWC As Kharge Rejigs Cong Central Leadership

By LokMarg 20th August 2023

In a significant development, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who has been sounding discordant notes against the party and is not known to see eye-to-eye with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, was drafted into the Congress Working Committee on Sunday.

Ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly polls, scheduled later this year, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge brought key changes to the CWC on Sunday.

Apart from Pilot being drafted into the party’s central leadership, the likes of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Shashi Tharoor, Jairam Ramesh, Naseer Hussain, Alka Lamba, Supriya Srinate, Praniti Shinde, Pawan Khera, Ganesh Godiyal, and Yashomati Thakur also found places in the panel.

The move to bring Pilot into the party’s central leadership could be part of the Congress’s strategy to avoid any war of words with Gehlot ahead of the crucial state elections.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, CM Gehlot said the Congress would return to power by a handsome majority in the upcoming Assembly elections this year.

A meeting of Rajasthan Congress leaders was also held in the presence of the party’s state unit president Govind Singh Dotasara, CM Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, and party’s state in charge, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa in Jaipur.

After the meeting, Gehlot told media persons, “The Congress will return with a huge mandate. The people have made up their minds to bring us back to power in Rajasthan.”

He further said the party’s poll preparations are already underway.

On August 17, the BJP announced the formation of the state’s election manifesto committee and the Rajasthan election management committee.

Lok Sabha MP Arjun Ram Meghwal was named the chairman of the BJP’s state manifesto committee, with Lal Meena, Alka Gurjar, Ravi Rajendra Singh, Subhash Maurya, Prabhu Lal Saini, and Rakhi Rathore as co-conveners.

In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats while the BJP settled at 73 seats in the 200-member house. The Congress led by Ashok Gehlot formed the government with the support of Independents and the BSP. (ANI)

Insulting The Sacrifice: Gehlot Backs Sachin Pilot Amid BJP’s Charge

By LokMarg 17th August 2023

Not known to share the best of equations with his former deputy, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday came out in support of Sachin Pilot amid allegations by the BJP that his father, former Union minister Rajesh Pilot, was involved in the bombings over Mizoram in 1966.

During his reply to the Opposition’s motion of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Congress government, under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, used air assets to bomb Mizoram in 1966.

Taking to his official handle on X, formerly Twitter, CM Gehlot said, “Congress leader Rajesh Pilot was a brave pilot of the Indian Air Force. By insulting them, the BJP is insulting the sacrifice of the Indian Air Force. The whole country should condemn this.”

Earlier, on August 13, BJP’s IT Cell head Amit Malviya claimed Congress leaders Rajesh Pilot and Suresh Kalmadi were flying the IAF fighter, which bombed Aizawl on March 5, 1966.

“Rajesh Pilot and Suresh Kalmadi were flying the Indian Air Force planes that bombed Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, on 5 March 1966. Later both became MPs on Congress tickets and ministers in the government. It is clear that Indira Gandhi gave a place in politics as a reward, and gave respect to those who carried out air raids on their own people in the Northeast,” Amit Malviya posted on X.

Refuting Malviya’s claims, Sachin Pilot said the BJP leader quoted wrong dates and facts on this incident, adding that his father was not commissioned into the Indian Air Force on March 5, 1966.

Taking to his handle on X, Sachin Pilot wrote, “You have the wrong dates, wrong facts. Yes, as an Indian Air Force pilot, my late father did drop bombs. But that was on erstwhile East Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and not as you claim, on Mizoram on the 5th of March 1966. He was commissioned into the IAF only on 29th October 1966! (Certificate attached) Jai hind and a happy Independence Day.”

Addressing the Lok Sabha during his reply to the motion of no-confidence, PM Modi had said, “On March 5, 1966, Congress had the Air Force attack helpless citizens in Mizoram. Congress should answer if it was India’s air force or any other country’s. Were those people of Mizoram not the citizens of my country? Was their security not the responsibility of the Union government?”

He added that the whole of Mizoram mourns the March 5 incident every year.

Responding to PM Modi’s remarks, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said his criticism of Indira Gandhi’s “extraordinarily tough decision” of March 1966 in Mizoram to deal with secessionist forces, which drew support from Pakistan and China, was “pathetic”. (ANI)

Comparing Rajasthan With Manipur Is Only Politics: Gehlot

By LokMarg 5th August 2023

Days after the burnt body of a minor girl was found in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said that 4 to 5 people were arrested after the incident came to light and that “comparing Rajasthan with Manipur is only politics”.

While speaking about the incident, Chief Minister Gehlot said, that “Rajasthan in terms of action is number one among all the states. After the burnt body of a minor girl was found in Bhilwara, Yesterday, the police arrested the 4-5 accused at night. What else the police will do?”

CM Gehlot also said, on Manipur incidents, Prime Minister has committed a huge blunder.

“To dilute the Manipur incidents, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have created a huge blunder. As a formality only, you can visit there, it’s been 80 to 85 days since Manipur is burning, Three to four thousand FIRs have been registered,” CM added.

“Two local communities have become enemies of each other in their own state. They are carrying weapons, taken by loot or given by the Police, including AK-47,” Gehlot also said.

“You are comparing Rajasthan and Chattisgarh with Manipur, it is only Politics, and we don’t approve of it,” CM said.

Prime Minister earlier in the month took a dig at the Congress-ruled states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh over crimes against women, while denouncing a strip-naked horror video that went viral a day before the start of the monsoon session of Parliament showing two women in Manipur being assaulted and molested, triggering outrage and condemnation.

The state assembly elections in Rajasthan are due to be held later this year. (ANI)

Gehlot’s Leader Is Vasundhara Raje: Sachin Pilot

By LokMarg 9th May 2023

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday took a sharp jibe at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, saying that his speech in Dholpur showed his leader “is not Sonia Gandhi but Vasundhara Raje Scindia”.

Gehlot had claimed that Vasundhara Raje was among BJP leaders who helped him save his government during the revolt by Pilot and some Congress MLAs in 2020 seeking change in leadership in the state.
Addressing a press conference, Pilot also said that he has now understood why Gehlot “has not acted” on his allegations of corruption during the BJP government in the state.

“After listening to Ashok Gehlot’s speech in Dholpur, it seems like his leader is not Sonia Gandhi but Vasundhara Raje Scindia… For the first time, I am seeing someone criticize MPs and MLAs of their own party. Praising leaders from BJP and dishonouring Congress leaders is beyond my understanding, this is absolutely wrong,” Pilot said.

“I have now understood why the CM (Ashok Gehlot) has not acted against corruption,” he added.

Pilot’s attack amounts to an escalation of his conflict with Gehlot in the crucial state which will go to the polls by the end of this year.

The attack on Gehlot came a day before polling in Karnataka polls in which Congress is fighting a crucial battle.

Pilot,a former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister, announced that he will hold a five-day-long ‘Jan Sangarsh Yatra’ from Ajmer to Jaipur starting May 11.

“This yatra is against corruption. Any further decision will be taken after this yatra,” he said.

Pilot had held a day-long fast last month, even as the party leadership had cautioned him against it, over his demand for action by the Gehlot government for alleged corruption during the BJP rule in the state.

BJP leader Vasundhara Raje had countered Ashok Gehlot’s claims, saying Rajasthan Chief Minister is lying out of fear of losing the 2023 Assembly elections and his false allegations show he is rattled by the rebellion in state Congress unit.

Gehlot had credited Vasundhara Raje and two other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for having helped him save his government during the 2020 crisis when some Congress MLAs revolted.

“Gehlot’s statement against me is a conspiracy. Nobody can insult me as much as Gehlot has done. He is lying out of fear of losing the 2023 Assembly elections and has made such false allegations as he is rattled by the rebellion in his own party,” Raje had said.

Addressing a programme in Dholpur on Sunday, Gehlot alleged that there was a conspiracy against his government.

“Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Shobha Rani and Kailash Meghwal knew their party people were toppling the government. Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Kailash Meghwal had said that it has never been our tradition to topple the elected government on the basis of money. They did not support those who toppled the government due to which our government survived,” Gehlot had said.

Both Pilot and Gehlot have taken potshots at each other in the past forcing the party leadership to intervene. (ANI)

Judiciary, EC, ED, CBI Are Working Under Fear: Gehlot

By LokMarg 20th December 2022

Targeting the Narendra Modi government at the Centre on Tuesday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the judiciary, EC, ED, CBI and IT are working under fear.

“Until now they were under pressure but now they are scared of what would happen if they don’t obey orders from the top. They get orders about locations of raids before elections. They’re given a list,” the Rajasthan CM said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over growing inflation and advised him to stop entertaining “friends” and start attending to the public who have been suffering due to the price rise.

Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and said in Hindi, “Big announcement by the Rajasthan government to give LPG gas cylinders for Rs 500, which is half the price set by the Central government. Prime Minister Ji, stop feeding dry fruits to friends, and serve the people suffering from inflation (‘mitro’ ko mewa khilana band kijie, mehangai se trast janta ki sewa kijie).”

The Congress leader is currently in Rajasthan amid his ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is observing its last day in the Congress-ruled state. The foot march will enter Haryana on Wednesday.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday announced a scheme for providing cylinders to the poor in the state at the reduced rate of Rs 500 each.

“The state government is continuously taking public welfare decisions to provide maximum relief to the poor. In this direction, the state government is now developing a scheme to provide LPG cylinders to the poor at a cheaper rate,” Gehlot tweeted. (ANI)