A row erupted in the state’s political circles ahead of a scheduled visit by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to Kota Wednesday for an interaction with students, with former chief minister Ashok Gehlot accusing Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota MP Om Birla’s office of trying to derail the event.Gandhi is slated to meet the youth in Kota just days before Sunday’s NEET retest, with the Congress party urging students to join Wednesday’s programme in large numbers.Videos circulating on social media Tuesday showed posters publicising Gandhi’s event being removed in Kota, triggering sharp reactions from the Congress and sparking a counter-attack from the BJP.In a post on X Monday, Gehlot claimed calls were being made from Birla’s office to Kota coaching centres and guest houses, warning them against allowing students to attend Gandhi’s scheduled interaction at Dussehra Maidan.Repeating the charge Tuesday, Gehlot said, “LoP is visiting the constituency of the Lok Sabha Speaker and he should be welcomed. Instead, an atmosphere has been created where Birla ji himself is opposing the visit and wants to ensure no one attends the programme,” Gehlot said.“The Speaker should clarify his position on why this situation has arisen and at whose behest all this is happening,” he said. “It does not befit the Speaker to create such circumstances that instill fear in the minds of educational institutions and ordinary people,” Gehlot added.The BJP, on its part, staged a protest in Kota Tuesday, accusing Congress of attempting to disturb students days before the NEET retest.Responding to Gehlot’s charges, former minister Rajendra Rathore said, “It is extremely irresponsible and unfortunate that Gehlot has levelled serious and baseless allegations against the Lok Sabha Speaker”.“He ought to specify which parliamentary convention or rulebook in India mandates that the Lok Sabha Speaker must personally welcome an MP or the Leader of the Opposition,” he asked.In response, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Congress’s Tikaram Jully, accused the BJP of resorting to pressure tactics.“The BJP govt’s panic has become evident even before Rahul Gandhi’s arrival in Kota,” he said. “You cannot suppress the anger and questions of the youth by removing posters, exerting pressure or misusing the administrative machinery,” he added.Writing about the Kota event on X earlier, Gandhi had said, “Paper leaks, exam mismanagement, cancelled recruitments, skyrocketing fees, privatisation and scams — these are the very tools with which they are shattering the dreams of millions every day”.“I want to discuss all of this with you in detail. That is why I am calling upon you — let us transform the voice of students rising from every street, town and city across the country into a powerful roar in Kota,” he added.