Slogans in support of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot interrupt UP deputy CM’s speech at Mali community mahasangam in Jaipur

JAIPUR: The mahasangam of Mali community at Jaipur's Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium witnessed dramatic scenes as deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya's speech was interrupted by slogans of 'Ashok Gehlot zindabad'.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot's supporters, who arrived at the stadium with 'Gehlot government for the fourth time' placards, raised slogans when Maurya started counting achievements of the Modi government at the Centre.
Similarly, former state cabinet minister Prabhu Lal Saini's speech was interrupted by slogans. Saini, on being interrupted, said Gehlot was his ideal too.
Among others who attended the programme were Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) president Vaibhav Gehlot. Birla didn’t deliver a speech or accept garlands at the function in solidarity with those killed in the Odisha train accident. Two minutes’ silence was also observed to express solidarity with the victims of the accident. CM Gehlot’s message was also read out at mahasangam.
Maurya said if the community stayed united it would gain by getting more tickets in the upcoming assembly elections. “In the last assembly elections in 2018, the Mali community got six tickets from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and four from the Congress. I believe, if you don’t fight among yourselves, the community will get at least 20 tickets. In Uttar Pradesh, we gave 32 tickets to the community,” said Maurya amid slogans.
He also said 70% of the community’s vote went to BJP in the last elections. “However, I seek 100% votes from the community. At the same time, I believe in uniting the community and not instigating a fight among people. The opponents will try to mislead you and want the Mali community to remain divided. Therefore, I only want the members of my family to stay united (ahead of the assembly and Lok Sabha elections),” he said while appealing to the crowd to sit down and listen to him. In the end, he signed off hoping the crowd was not angry with him.
Some of the demands of the Mali community are 12% reservation for Mali, Saini and Kushwaha communities in education and jobs, 20 tickets each from BJP and Congress in the coming elections, to install a statue of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule in Lok Sabha, confer Bharat Ratna upon Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, declaration of government holiday on Mahatma Phule’s Jayanti, formation of Mali regiment in the army, formation of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Welfare Board and others.