Jaipur: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot Monday accused the central govt of creating ‘mischief’ in the controversy surrounding the selection of Congress MPs for foreign delegations formed to present India’s stance after the airstrikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan.Taking a swipe at Congress MP Shashi Tharoor—who is part of one such delegation despite not being the party’s official choice—Gehlot said Tharoor should have consulted the party leadership before accepting the invitation. “It was Shashi Tharoor‘s duty (to inform the party). We all respect him. He is a good person, but when he is in politics and wins elections on the Congress platform, if any opposition party or the government makes him an offer, he should have said, ‘I have no issue, but please speak to the party high command.’ If he had done that, the issue wouldn’t have arisen. He made a mistake, and the government’s mischief is evident to everyone,” said Gehlot.He added that the matter of selection was now closed, as four Congress MPs were going to represent India. “The govt’s approach is wrong. They are trying to create division and weaken the opposition, which is not right,” he said.Referring to conflicting statements from the Centre, Gehlot asked, “On one hand, they say names were not asked for—then why were Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge called? Kiren Rijiju is now trying to cover up.” He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on US President Donald Trump’s statement on a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “Why has Modiji remained silent? He should clearly say no third party will be involved in the Kashmir issue.“Calling Trump’s comments “very dangerous,” Gehlot said the Centre should have immediately clarified that “India will only consider a ceasefire after agreement between both sides—not under third-party pressure.”
