As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati faced off over the Alwar gang rape on Sunday, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot jumped into the fight on Monday and called Modi’s attack on him a political gimmick.

The PM on Saturday attacked the Rajasthan government during an election rally in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh: “Two weeks ago, a woman from Dalit community was gang raped in Alwar, instead of apprehending the culprits, Rajasthan government and the police started to suppress the case.,” he said.

Gehlot responded to the attack on Monday and said the PM’s allegations are political to take benefit in the sixth and seventh phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

“The PM doesn’t have information. His allegations are seen as political tool to win elections, and take benefit sixth and seventh phase elections,” Gehlot said.

He said that Modi deliberately targeted him and ignored the facts that the state government took action when the case came to the knowledge.

“The Rajasthan government has already taken action in the matter. All the accused have been arrested. The SP was removed, SHO was suspended and we will take all steps to maintain law and order,” said Gehlot, addressing newspersons at his residence.

In Alwar’s Thangazi police station area, a 19-year-old woman was gang-raped by five men in front of her husband before the men filmed the act and circulated it on social media. The five have been arrested on charges of gang rape and a sixth on charges of circulating videos on social media.

On Sunday, PM Modi dared Mayawati to withdraw support from the Rajasthan government over the gang rape case. The BSP chief today responded by saying the party may think of withdrawing support. But Gehlot expressed confidence that the party will continue its support to Congress in the state. “The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is supporting Congress in Rajasthan and it will continue,” he said.

The Rajasthan CM said Mayawati’s statement on the case was her natural angst. “Her comments are natural as she is the leader of BSP and if injustice happens with a Dalit family than her reaction is natural and justified,” he said.

Over reports of BJP leader’s attempt to settle the matter in Alwar, the CM said that officers are asked to look into the matter and appropriate action will be taken, if there is concrete proof.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that several steps are and will be taken to improve the functioning and efficiency of the police so that it becomes a model for the country.

“Several actions are taken after the Alwar gang rape case was brought to light and new changes in the system are being made so that the complainant is heard and his grievance is redressed. We want that, if a complainant goes to police station, he is heard and well treated. If the complaint is not lodged at the police station then has to be registered at the SP office – provision for the same is being made.”

He said, a new post of Deputy SP (women-safety) is being created in districts for monitoring cases of crime against women. Information technology will be used to ensure that complainants are addressed and lodged. Besides, the SPs and IGs will forward confidential reports about their subordinates to the government and a review will be done by him once in every four months.

“SPs and IGs will forward confidential reports about their subordinates. How they are working, who is doing good work and who are working in connivance and performing. On the basis of reports which I will review along with chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home) and DGP once in four months, reward and action will be decided,” said Gehlot.

The chief minister alleged that the number of rape cases increased in BJP rule but the former government took no serious action to curb the crime. “In 2017, rape cases registered were 3305, which increased to 4335 in 2018 in the state. It means that nine rape incidents happened everyday in 2017 and it increased to 12 rape cases per day in 2018,” said a note circulated after the press conference.

He recalled the incident where a woman was gang-raped in front of her husband and father in law was tied in Jaipur during BJP rule but no action was taken by the former government.

BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek said RSS is an organization, which works in the interest of the country. The volunteers of RSS are free to caste vote for any party, which they think are in interest of the country. He continued that Congress before talking of democracy should remember the biggest anti-democratic step taken by them ‘emergency’ after the independence. BJP believe in democracy and congress is under fear of Modi’s growing image across the globe, and is levelling allegations.

First Published: May 14, 2019 13:41 IST