Ashok Gehlot Criticizes FIR Against Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, Raises Concerns Over Democracy

Jaipur, October 7: Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has targeted the central government and the Election Commission following the filing of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi. Speaking to the media at his residence on Civil Lines, Gehlot expressed that citizens, especially the youth, should be concerned about the future of democracy in the country.

Delhi Police registered the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and others for allegedly entering the All India Radio premises without permission during a protest on Tuesday. This incident occurred a day after the Election Commission detained several opposition leaders, including Rahul and Priyanka, during a march.

Gehlot Remarks: ‘They Can Do Anything’

In response to questions regarding the FIR, Gehlot stated, “They will definitely file an FIR; they can do anything.”

He criticized the police’s behavior alongside Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, questioning whether democracy would remain secure in the current circumstances. Gehlot mentioned that opposition MPs wanted to discuss issues of ‘vote theft’ and the SIR with the Election Commission during their protest near All India Radio.

Election Commission Offers Different Perspective

The Election Commission presented a different stance on the matter. According to the Commission, no political party had requested a meeting by the stipulated time on Tuesday. Later, Delhi Police informed that around 240 MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, wished to meet the Commission. However, the Commission deemed this request not in accordance with protocol and offered to send a senior official to receive a memorandum instead.

Gehlot remarked that had the Commission engaged with the opposition MPs, it could have addressed the allegations of electoral irregularities raised by them.

Concerns Over Democratic Institutions

Gehlot expressed his worries about the direction in which the country’s democratic institutions are heading. He cited examples of China, Russia, and North Korea to highlight the potential weakening of democracy. He also questioned the lack of response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the opposition’s protests.

Gehlot Critiques Modi Government Over Repo Rate Hike

When asked about the repo rate, Gehlot referenced the completion of 25 years of Modi’s leadership and sarcastically suggested that this was a “gift” to the citizens. He also raised concerns about the government’s GDP figures, noting that some experts have contested these statistics.

The Reserve Bank of India increased the repo rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, raising it from 5.25% to 5.50%. This marks the first hike since February 2023.

Media’s Role in Protecting Democracy

Gehlot also questioned the role of mainstream media, praising social media’s contribution. He urged the media to fearlessly come forward to protect democracy and the Constitution, stating that this issue transcends any single political party and is a matter for the entire nation.

Call for Ban on ‘Bardabandi’ Ahead of Panchayat Elections

Referring to recent local body elections in Rajasthan, Gehlot accused the government of transporting winning Congress councilors from their camps. He demanded that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma impose a complete ban on ‘bardabandi’ for candidates and elected representatives in the upcoming panchayat elections. The Congress party has previously alleged ‘councilor theft’ in local elections.

Gehlot revealed that a meeting with senior leaders and district heads would be held to strategize for the panchayat elections, focusing on the campaign and organizational strategy.

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Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.