NEW DELHI: Claiming unity in the party and his support for the ‘Sachin Pilot camp‘ in securing election tickets, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Thursday jibed at rival BJP that his predecessor Vasundhara Raje should not be “punished” because of him, alleging that the BJP brass was sidelining her because of his revelation that the 2020 coup against him failed because Raje vetoed the “conspiracy to topple” his government through money power.
At a press meet, Gehlot said he has never wanted to be the CM but the post does not let him go, and it may be the same in the future too – a remark that indicated his resolve to stay put. Curiously, Gehlot said he has been made the CM three times despite losing power, and “the high command has shown such trust in me, which is rare, and there must be some reason for it”.
Asked about Raje’s perceived downsising in BJP, Gehlot said, “She should not be punished because of me. This would be injustice to her.” Gehlot said he had blocked a coup against late former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and Raje and her loyalist Kailash Meghwal had remembered the incident because of which they opposed the manoeuvre against him.
At a press meet, Gehlot said he has never wanted to be the CM but the post does not let him go, and it may be the same in the future too – a remark that indicated his resolve to stay put. Curiously, Gehlot said he has been made the CM three times despite losing power, and “the high command has shown such trust in me, which is rare, and there must be some reason for it”.
Asked about Raje’s perceived downsising in BJP, Gehlot said, “She should not be punished because of me. This would be injustice to her.” Gehlot said he had blocked a coup against late former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and Raje and her loyalist Kailash Meghwal had remembered the incident because of which they opposed the manoeuvre against him.