A political row has erupted in Rajasthan following former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's advice to the current administration regarding the involvement of leaders' sons in government affairs, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a coordinated attack on Gehlot, labeling his statements as hypocritical and pointing toward his own history of promoting his son, Vaibhav Gehlot, during his tenure as Chief Minister.
Context of Gehlot's Statement
The controversy began after allegations surfaced against the son of Bhim MLA Hari Singh Rawat regarding the demolition of a private house. Reacting to the incident, Ashok Gehlot stated that sons of political leaders often bring disrepute to the government. He advised the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers, and other ministers to keep their family members, particularly their sons, away from official government business to maintain the integrity of the administration.
Rajendra Rathore's Poetic Rebuttal
Former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore responded to Gehlot's advice with a poetic jab, questioning whether the former CM followed his own counsel while in power. Rathore pointed out that Gehlot, driven by 'putra moh' (attachment to his son), fielded Vaibhav Gehlot in two consecutive Lok Sabha elections from Jodhpur and Jalore. He noted that despite the political backing, the electorate rejected Vaibhav Gehlot on both occasions, highlighting the former CM's attempts to establish his son's political career.
The RCA Presidency and Internal Friction
The BJP leader also brought up the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections. Rathore alleged that during the process of appointing Vaibhav Gehlot as the RCA President, senior Congress leader Rameshwar Dudi was subjected to humiliation, while he questioned why Gehlot remained silent about keeping family members away from influential positions when he was actively securing a high-profile role for his son in the state's sports administration.
Allegations of Financial Irregularities
Further intensifying the attack, the BJP referenced alleged corruption in the tenders for the RCA stadium in Chaunp. Rathore mentioned the complaints filed by Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a purported investment of ₹100 crore by Vaibhav Gehlot in the Fairmont Hotel on Delhi Road. The BJP maintains that these financial allegations during Gehlot's regime contradict the moral high ground he's currently attempting to take.
Madan Rathore on Nepotism
BJP State President Madan Rathore joined the criticism, stating that Ashok Gehlot's career is a prime example of nepotism. He argued that making Vaibhav Gehlot the RCA President and ensuring he received Lok Sabha tickets twice were clear indicators of 'putra moh'. According to the state president, the former CM's advice to the current government lacks credibility given his own track record of integrating his family into the state's political and administrative spheres.