Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has claimed that he survived a 2020-revolt by some Congress MLAs because Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Vasundhara Raje and Kailash Meghwal refused to support a conspiracy to topple an elected government through money power.
However, Raje has called Gehlot’s claims a “big conspiracy” against her and accused him of lying due to rebellion in his party. Gehlot also took aim at the rebel Congress MLAs, urging them to return the money they allegedly took from the BJP so they could carry out their duty without pressure.
Addressing a programme in Dholpur, Gehlot stated that he, as the state party chief, did not support the toppling of the BJP government led by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, as it was unethical, and Raje and Meghwal also shared this view. Gehlot also alleged that Union Ministers Amit Shah, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Dharmendra Pradhan had conspired together to topple his government.
Raje rejected Gehlot’s allegations and stated that no one could insult her as much as Gehlot did in his life. She accused him of creating fabricated stories to avoid a historic defeat in the 2023 assembly elections. Gehlot and Raje have faced criticism from their detractors in their parties for “going soft” on each other, especially when it came to allegations of corruption, but the two leaders have denied any such understanding.
During his address, Gehlot praised some Congress MLAs who supported him during the 2020 crisis and saved his government. However, he was unable to appoint them as ministers due to political reasons. The assembly elections are slated for later this year, and Gehlot stated that his duty is to take everyone along and ensure the return of the party to power.
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