Former Rajasthan CM Gehlot Blasts PM Modi's Ajmer Comments as 'Political Desperation'
In a sharp political rebuke, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has characterized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comments against the Congress party at a public meeting in Ajmer as a display of "political desperation" and a reflection of his "moral bankruptcy". The exchange marks another heated moment in the ongoing political rivalry between the Congress and the ruling BJP.
Gehlot's Strong Retort on Social Media
Gehlot issued his response via a post on the social media platform 'X', directly addressing the Prime Minister. "Modi ji, remember that opposing you is not the same as opposing the country," Gehlot wrote. He cautioned the PM against "making the mistake of considering yourself greater than the nation" and expressed disappointment that an official government platform was used for what he termed "narrow politics." Gehlot emphasized that the public had expected the Prime Minister to address issues of genuine public interest instead.
Context: PM Modi's Ajmer Rally Accusations
The controversy stems from Prime Minister Modi's address at a gathering in Ajmer on Saturday. During his speech, Modi asserted that the country would "never forgive" the Congress for its alleged misdeeds. He accused the party of defaming India out of anger following repeated electoral defeats. In a particularly pointed remark, Modi claimed the Congress had transformed from "INC" to "MMC"—"Muslim League Maoist Congress."
Gehlot countered this by highlighting what he sees as irony, noting that those "whose ideology did not contribute to the freedom movement" were now accusing the Congress of dividing the nation.
Gehlot's Critique of Rajasthan Governance and Paper Leaks
Beyond the immediate retort, Gehlot used his statement to critique the BJP's governance in Rajasthan. He pointed to the issue of paper leaks, suggesting that instead of politicizing the matter, the Prime Minister should have acknowledged and praised the stringent law enacted by the previous Congress government in the state.
"The people of Rajasthan know the truth," Gehlot stated. "Instead of playing politics over paper leaks, you should have praised that stringent law of Rajasthan which includes provisions such as life imprisonment, a fine of Rs 10 crore, and the confiscation of the culprits' property, which became an example for the country."
Allegations of Broken Promises and 'Double Engine' Failure
The former Chief Minister also revisited election promises, alleging that Prime Minister Modi had failed to stand by a guarantee given during the Rajasthan Assembly elections. Gehlot claimed the PM had pledged not to shut down schemes initiated by the Congress government.
"It would have been better if the PM stood by his guarantee," Gehlot remarked, linking this to his criticism of the BJP's "Double Engine" governance model—a reference to having the same party in power at both the state and central levels. He asserted that this slogan had proven to be "'Double Zero' in Rajasthan," implying a complete failure to deliver on development and welfare promises.
Broader Political Implications
This public spat underscores the intensifying political tensions in Rajasthan and at the national level as both parties gear up for future electoral battles. Gehlot's accusations of moral bankruptcy and political desperation aim to frame the BJP's rhetoric as divisive and detached from substantive governance issues. Meanwhile, Modi's comments reflect the BJP's continued strategy of aggressively targeting the Congress's historical legacy and current political stance.
The exchange is likely to fuel further debate on the boundaries of political discourse, the use of official platforms for partisan attacks, and the contrasting narratives of development and accountability presented by the two major national parties.
