Ashok Gehlot says some leaders instigating party workers in name of respect

JAIPUR: In a veiled attack on his former deputy Sachin Pilot, chief minister Ashok Gehlot has alleged that some Congress leaders were instigating the party workers by telling them that they were not being given respect and honour by the state government.
Gehlot made the remark while addressing an Independence Day function at the Shaheed Memorial in Jaipur on Monday.
“Some of our people instigate workers by telling them that they should be given respect and honour. It has become a ‘jumla’. Have you ever honoured and respected the workers? Do you even know what honour and respect is?” asked the senior Congress leader without taking any names.
“From being a worker, we have become leaders today by getting honour and respect,” Gehlot added.
Tonk MLA Pilot has often been seen raising the issue of honour and respect of Congress workers who worked hard to bring the party back to power in the state in 2018.
Gehlot said he started his career in politics as a party worker at the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Indian National Congress. He said party workers’ honour and respect were the most important to him, assuring workers that Congress good days will come soon.
Attacking BJP, the CM alleged that the saffron party government misuses paramilitary and police to transport ill-gotten money to its offices.
Gehlot alleged, “They (BJP) uses the paramilitary forces or police where they are in government.... They bring boxes filled with money in trucks to the BJP offices through the backdoor.” He further alleged that as these vehicles belong to the police, no one stops them.
The chief minister questioned the logic of demonetisation and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes and brought Rs 2000 notes for ease in transportation.
Hitting back at Gehlot, BJP state president Satish Poonia said it is beyond comprehension that a chief minister said such “irresponsible, illogical and baseless things”.
“The CM is distracted as he is insecure about his chair. He should apologise for insulting paramilitary forces which maintain internal and external security of the country,” Poonia said.