The Rajasthan Assembly witnessed a heated exchange during the discussion on budget grants for the Agriculture and Cooperation departments. Ramkesh Meena, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, used the platform to target the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by highlighting the role of Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena. He asserted that it was Kirodi Lal Meena who established the BJP's presence in Eastern Rajasthan, yet the party is now allegedly exploiting his political stature.
The Last Nail in the Coffin Remark
In a provocative statement, Ramkesh Meena claimed that if anyone were to drive the last nail into the BJP's coffin, it would be Kirodi Lal Meena. He argued that the leader who taught people in Eastern Rajasthan to support the BJP and rescued the party during various crises is now being sidelined. According to the Congress leader, this perceived neglect of a senior leader could lead to the party's eventual decline in the state.
Claims Regarding Ministerial Powers and CM Post
Ramkesh Meena further stated that Kirodi Lal Meena, being a prominent farmer leader, deserved the Chief Minister's post, but the BJP denied him the opportunity, while he also criticized the allocation of portfolios, alleging that the Agriculture and Rural Development departments assigned to the minister have been stripped of significant powers. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel intervened, questioning the relevance of discussing ministerial jurisdictions during a debate on departmental grants.
Offer to Vacate Gangapur Assembly Seat
The debate took a personal turn when members of the treasury benches suggested that Ramkesh Meena was praising the minister to prevent him from contesting from the Gangapur constituency. In response, Ramkesh Meena declared that if Kirodi Lal Meena decided to contest from Gangapur, he would willingly vacate his seat for him and seek election from another constituency. This statement was seen as a strategic move to highlight the minister's popularity across party lines.
Challenges Regarding Dungri Dam and Protests
Highlighting Kirodi Lal Meena's history of activism, Ramkesh Meena noted that the government continues to rely on him for resolving complex issues like the Dungri Dam project. He challenged other BJP leaders to match the minister's record of public struggle, mentioning that Kirodi Lal Meena has faced over 200 legal cases and has been imprisoned multiple times during various agitations. He claimed that no other leader in the current state government possesses a similar history of grassroots struggle.