Jaipur, Nov 4 — Former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, has accused the BJP of attempting to divert public attention from allegations of vote theft and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, by organising marches and demonstrations across the country, alleging that the ruling party has deployed its Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and state ministers for the exercise.
In a statement, Gehlot said the entire country was astonished by the BJP's actions, questioning whether the Union and state governments had any other work left to do.
"For the first time in India's 80-year democratic history, the country is witnessing a 'ruling Opposition', a party that is itself in power staging sit-ins, demonstrations and marches against the Opposition," he said, describing the BJP's marches as pointless.
"The entire country is astonished. Whether it is the BJP's Union government or its state governments, do they have no work left to do? All the Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and state ministers have been pressed into taking out pointless marches," he said.
Gehlot said protests were taking place across the country on several issues as people, frustrated by the NDA government's failure to address their concerns, were raising their voices.
He claimed that the public was facing severe hardships due to inflation, unemployment and corruption. The Congress leader alleged that the BJP had panicked after allegations of vote theft and the Election Commission's alleged collusion came to light. He claimed that the ruling party was resorting to such political exercises to divert attention from these allegations.
Referring to the INDIA Bloc's march and its mega rally, Gehlot said the Opposition's campaign was being conducted in a disciplined and peaceful manner in designated places of protest.
He also praised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying that he had consistently advocated love, affection and democratic methods to bring about a change in government.
"Despite this, the BJP is taking out such marches in an attempt to vitiate the atmosphere in the country," Gehlot alleged.
His remarks come amid an intensifying political confrontation between the BJP and Opposition parties over allegations of electoral irregularities and the functioning of the Election Commission.
The BJP's counter-mobilisation has added another dimension to the ongoing political tussle, with both sides seeking to shape the public narrative.