Non-stop ED raids in Rajasthan proof that Congress is winning polls: Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Pic/X@ashokgehlot51

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday alleged that the BJP is using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to harass the Congress, reported news agency PTI.

Asserting that the Congress will be winning the polls, Ashok Gehlot said in a post on X, "The non-stop ED raids in Rajasthan are proof that Congress is winning the election. Unable to win the trust of the people of Rajasthan, the BJP is misusing ED to harass the Congress."

Ashok Gehlot's remarks come in the backdrop of ED searches at a coaching institute, private persons, and others as part of its ongoing money laundering probe into the alleged question paper leak of the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers, 2021.

Raids were conducted at seven places in Nagaur, Sikar, and Jaipur on October 17.

Elections will be held in the state on November 25 and counting of votes will take place on December 3.

Earlier today, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the party is soon going to announce the guarantees to be given in the state, just like it did in Karnataka, reported news agency ANI.

Speaking to the media, Gehlot said "This time we will try to repeat our government. Soon we are going to give you guarantees. We have kept the promises we made. Modi ji is copying us. Our party gave the guarantees in Karnataka, it is being given in MP, now we will give it in Rajasthan also."

Further launching an attack on Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, CM Gehlot said "While holding such an important portfolio, what benefits have been given to Rajasthan's people."

"He is a coward minister. If he has not made a mistake, if my allegation is false in Sajeevani's case, then why is he going to the High Court for bail? Why is the Central Minister so afraid? He has such an important portfolio; what benefit did the people of Rajasthan get? He cannot get the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project done," he said.

Ashok Gehlot further alleged that his government is under pressure to stop the ERCP project in the state, reported ANI.

"Today water, excellent irrigation is taking place in the areas, farmers condition is improving. Don't the people of Eastern Rajasthan expect this? Those who are backward people. You are not allowing this project to move forward, rather there is pressure on us to stop it. They have selfishness in this also," CM Gehlot said.

CM Gehlot further said that PM Modi is creating confusion in the state, reported ANI.

"Prime Minister is spreading confusion about some states. There is dignity in the post of Prime Minister. Perhaps someone mightnot have respected him as much as I did. Even during Corona, the Prime Minister spread confusion in Jodhpur that I did not come to that meeting. There were only 200 people in that meeting. My name was crossed out from the speech in video conferencing. Still, I get involved in every subject for the dignity of the post of Prime Minister", Ashok Gehlot said.

"There is a ruckus in BJP, BJP's experiment was not successful in Rajasthan. Due to the work of the government, Rajasthan is in the news, English schools have been opened, and the state is number one in terms of milk production. This time the custom will change," he added.

Rajasthan assembly polls will be held on November 25. The 200-member house will go to polls in single-phase.

The counting of votes will take place on December 3, coinciding with the other four states: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram.

In the 2018 assembly elections in Rajasthan, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member house. Ashok Gehlot came to power with the support of BSP MLAs and independents.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)