Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot asked whether there is democracy in the country since state governments are being overthrown, citing the recent example of Maharashtra.
While speaking at an event in Jaipur, he said, “State governments are being overthrown – Goa, Manipur, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra. Is there democracy in the country?”
“I don’t know how my government got saved. I would not be standing before you today. You would have met some other Chief Minister today,” said the Rajasthan CM.
It should be noted that Rajasthan, last year, saw a political turmoil after a reported tussle for power between Congress leader Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot.
Adding to his “democracy” remark, Gehlot recalled that four Supreme Court judges had said that democracy is in danger and later, one of them became Chief Justice of India – Ranjan Gogoi.
“I had asked the President, was Gogoi fine before or is he fine now? This is beyond my understanding. Then he became a Member of Parliament,” he said taking a dig at the Centre.
Shifting focus to the incidents of violence of late, Gehlot said, “There is an environment of tension and violence in the country. Democracy rests on tolerance. People listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that is why people vote for him.”
“Shouldn’t the Prime Minister address the nation and say that unity and brotherhood has to be maintained? He has to say ‘I will not accept violence at any cost’. I believe the Law Minister can convince him. He (the PM) does not listen to us,” he added.
The Rajasthan CM was addressing the inaugural session of the 18th All India Legal Services Authority in Jaipur, attended by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, other judges of the Supreme Court and those from different high courts.
