Congress' 2018 return in Rajasthan because of my previous work: CM

Gehlot says that he and Rajasthan are on the target of BJP and this is the reason BJP chief JP Nadda and other leaders repeatedly visit Raj

Jaipur (PTI): In an apparent rebuttal to his former deputy, Sachin Pilot, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said the Congress returned to power in 2018 because of the work done by him in his previous dispensation.

As he said this, he set the target of winning 156 seats in the assembly election due later this year.

Pilot, who has been locked in a power tussle with Gehlot for long, had recently said the return of Congress to power was due to the struggle of the party leaders and workers from 2013 to 2018, when he was the PCC chief.

In one of the public programmes, Pilot also spoke about the need for the older lot to make way for the younger generation of leaders.

Pilot has repeatedly said that the number of Congress MLAs, which had been reduced to 21 in 2013, was shot up only after the party high command made him the Pradesh Congress Committee chief in the state.

Gehlot, without naming Pilot, said the 2013 rout was largely because of the 'Modi wave' but within six months of the BJP government in state, people had realised their mistake.

"So an atmosphere was created and that was a big reason for the Congress to come back. Other reasons are always there, such as the party workers' struggle on the streets. But the main reason was that it was in the mind of people that they had made a mistake by changing the government in 2013," he told reporters after a state Republic Day function at Sawai Man Singh Stadium here.

Gehlot said that the BJP has no issues to rake up against his government and there is no anti-incumbency feeling among the people, who are happy with its schemes and programmes.

"Our path is clear. When our government came in 1998, there were 156 seats, I was the PCC chief then. I would like to move ahead with 'Mission 156'. We have already started work in that direction," he said.

Gehlot said his MLAs supported him and helped him tide over the infight during the political crisis in 2020 that saved his government. He said he fought hard to save his government and to serve people, and will continue to do so till his "last breath."

On the Opposition, he said that the BJP has mastered the art of "horse trading" and toppling governments, which it has done in other states, but they failed in Rajasthan because of support of the MLAs and the public to him.

State BJP has no real issues to target his government with & this is why it has been reprimanded by the high command, CM said.

YOU READ IT IN FIRST INDIA ON JAN 21, 2023

Shivendra Parmar

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) has got a tremendous response for its upcoming ‘Club 21’ in Pratap Nagar. On the first day of booking itself, more than 100 people registered for membership of the Club. The hi-tech Club will come up at Raj Aangan Society in the NRI Colony of Pratap Nagar area.

RHB Commissioner Pawan Arora informed that 50 people registered for the Club membership within the first six hours. “The Associate membership will be given for Rs. 3 lakh while Corporate membership will be given for Rs. 5 lakh. Central and State government employees will be given a discount of 20 per cent and Housing Board allottees are being given a 10 per cent discount. The membership will be given on a ‘first come first serve’ basis,” said Commissioner Pawan Arora. For more details, people can contact Residential Engineer Subhash Yadav at 9982221822 and Coordination Officer Bharat Bhushan Jain at 9828363615.

FROM PG 1

Asind ready...

Uttam Goswami

Bhinmal: CM of UP

Yogi Adityanath arrived at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple’s Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav in Bhinmal on Friday.

Around 4 pm, CM Yogi's helicopter landed on the temporary helipad built behind the Government College. The CM's convoy left from Khari Road to Lord Varah Shyam Temple and then to Neelkanth. Union Water Power Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also accompanied him. Police personnel were stationed everywhere & the main market was closed.

Addressing public meet, Yogi said that he was fortunate enough to visit the ancient temple. “I express my gratitude to Union Jal Shakti Minister for inviting me at the event, which is being held in Bhinmal since 11 days. This 1400-year-old Lord Neelkanth's temple is amazing. Nation is witnessig ‘Amritkal’ & a grand Ram temple is also being built. Sanatan Dharma is India’s national religion.”

First India Bureau

Ajmer: Raj in-charge of Congress Sukhjinder S Randhawa said that the one who works will become the leader and performance of every MLA and Minister will be observed. He said that a survey has started in every assembly. “If Congress is there then there is leadership. Anything that weakens Congress won’t be tolerated,” he said. “If anyone has a problem, they should talk at party level and not publicly. Modi Govt is only showing off. There is less publicity for Congress. We will campaign more. The promises made by Modi government weren’t fulfilled & we will take it to masses,” he said.

Refuting factionalism, State PCC Chief GS Dotasra said that there is unity in Congress party. “I would like to win 200 out of 200 seats and having such a goal is not a bad thing,” he said.

CONGRESS’ HAATH SE HAATH JODO CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN RAJ; WILL REACH OUT TO MASSES

Jaipur (PTI): Congress’ 'Haath Se Haath Jodo' campaign in Raj began on Thursday. Under the drive, the party will reach out to people with its message. Party leaders & workers took out marches at booth level. "The campaign began Friday morning which will continue for next 2 months. Rallies will be taken out at booth level for strengthening party," a state Congress spokesperson said. Party leaders would go door to door, interact with people, know about their problems and also inform about the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

BJP’s DREAM TO RETURN TO POWER WILL REMAIN A DREAM, SAYS DHARIWAL IN KOTA

Kota: UDH Min Shanti Dhariwal accompanied by local leaders walked on streets in Rampura market leading Cong’s ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ drive in Kota. Congress leader Amit Dhariwal said that enthusiasm in campaign was due to Cong govt’s successful plans. Shanti Dhariwal, in an exclusive conversation with First India, said that party’s ‘Mission 156’ in Raj has been accomplished. “BJP’s dream to return to power will remain a dream. After BJY, now ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ Yatra is getting public support.” —Bhanwar S Charan