Jaipur: For the second time in less than six months, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot caused a stir within the BJP, this time with his observation that former CM Vasundhara Raje “should have been” BJP’s natural choice for chief minister of Rajasthan, pitting her as a worthy political opponent.Only months ago, Gehlot had set Rajasthan’s political grapevine astir by claiming that the BJP’s central leadership was considering replacing chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, a comment that triggered vehement denials from within the party, and led both party in charge Madan Rathore, and Union Home minister Amit Shah, to formally deny any such plans. Discussing the import of Raje and Sharma’s meeting with RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat in Jodhpur, Gehlot said, “Her party is not giving her this opportunity; we are also sad about this. Raje is experienced, why is she not getting the chance? She should have been the natural choice for the CM’s post.” Gehlot also hinted that CM Sharma, in his first stint as chief minister, was surrounded by a group of advisors who were not serving him well, adding that his party will not be able to ignore the CM’s performance indefinitely, and will have to address the issue. “That is why I have urged him to find out what people are speaking of him in Delhi, Rajasthan, and the villages. I am not an opponent. I am in the opposition. He is not a personal adversary, Sharma should understand this,” Gehlot said. The former CM also said RSS’s decision to host its three-day meeting in Jodhpur was a “great blessing” to the city, and that he was hopeful that the organisation would send out a message of love, affection, and brotherhood from the historical city. He questioned the organisation’s doublespeak on its volunteers joining the temple movements in Kashi and Mathura. “The things being said about Kashi and Mathura are not right. They will incite riots in the country. Why are new issues being raised? Sometimes he says good things such as ‘all those living in India are Indians, all are united’. However, sometimes he falters,” Gehlot said. “I want to ask Bhagwatji why he said that RSS won’t participate, but their volunteers are free to go. If volunteers are allowed, isn’t that RSS itself? Why are such statements being made? The entire country is concerned. Which direction do they intend to take?” he added.
