Jaipur/Jodhpur, Nov 3 Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said the allegations made by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma against him were baseless.
He asked Sharma to substantiate his allegations with documentary evidence or apologise within 24 hours.
Addressing the BJP’s “Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy” rally in Gehlot’s home district, Jodhpur, Sharma raised questions over appointments to the Rajasthan Public Service Commission, paper leak cases and alleged corruption during the previous Congress government.
Questioning Gehlot’s political legacy, Sharma alleged that the former chief minister had exploited farmers before entering politics, and also favoured his family and relatives over people of his constituency. He also referred to the arrest of Gehlot’s personal security officer in a paper leak case.
Taking to X, Gehlot said, “Today in Jodhpur, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, made unwarranted remarks without any factual basis, which have pained me. He has personally levelled completely false allegations against me and propagated a wholly fabricated story.”
Gehlot said he hoped that Sharma would make public the details, facts and documents supporting his allegations or tender an apology within 24 hours.
The senior Congress leader further hit back, accusing the chief minister of attempting to divert attention from allegations involving IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal and property purchases linked to Ananta Resorts.
He questioned the chief minister’s role in approving a special financial package for the company, claiming that he chaired the investment board whose decision led to the concessions.
“The question remains the same. What was your role in granting the special package to Ananta Resorts, since you chaired the investment board on whose decision the package was issued?” Gehlot asked.
He also questioned why investigation into the matter had been entrusted to the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau instead of the Central Bureau of Investigation.
“How can an agency functioning under the chief minister conduct an impartial investigation into a decision taken by a board chaired by the chief minister?” Gehlot asked.
He alleged that Sharma was attempting to mislead the public and divert attention from questions surrounding the case.
(PTI News)
