Jaipur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot Wednesday alleged that the credibility of the IPS cadre had been “tarnished” during the recent urban local body elections, claiming that the bureaucracy acted under pressure from Bhajan Lal Sharma govt.“The IPS and IAS cadres have a reputation and credibility built over decades. What has happened this time, allegedly under pressure from Bhajan Lal ji, has seriously tarnished the credibility of the IPS cadre. Such conduct has brought disrepute to the cadre. Never in Rajasthan’s history has such an incident occurred,” Gehlot said.Gehlot’s remarks came as Rajasthan Congress prepared a list of more than 50 alleged incidents of interference by BJP govt during the civic elections, including alleged abduction and detention of councillors, threats and pressure on elected representatives. The party plans to submit the list to Governor Haribhau Bagde and seek an independent inquiry.Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully said the party would seek Governor’s intervention within the constitutional framework. “The Governor has powers under the relevant constitutional provisions to seek information from the state government. We will place all the facts and incidents before him and seek a fair inquiry,” Jully said.The cases being compiled include the alleged detention of Congress councillors from Tijara while returning from Himachal Pradesh, alleged abduction of councillors in Srivijaynagar, and police and administrative action against councillors in Khairthal, Malakhera and other civic bodies.Congress has also included the Khatu Shyamji episode, where party councillor Laxmi Devi went missing ahead of the chairperson election. The election was subsequently deferred by State Election Commission after she was traced.The party has alleged that police cases, notices, raids and other administrative actions were used in some places to pressure councillors and influence their voting. BJP has rejected the allegations as politically motivated.Congress plans to seek an assurance from Governor that such incidents do not recur during the forthcoming rural local body elections and that the polls are conducted fairly.Party functionaries have also warned that they could consider boycotting the rural polls if adequate assurances are not forthcoming.
