Faced with an onslaught of criticism for the allegedly failed law and order situation in his state, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expelled his Cabinet minister Rajendra Singh Gudha who had questioned the rising crimes against women graph in the state on the floor of the House, attracting the CM’s wrath.Speaking to The Sunday Guardian just hours after the outcome, Gudha, who was holding Independent charge of Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Guard and Civil Defence, said he has no regret for his step and his decision.
“Agar sacch bolna gunha hai to haan maine kiya (if telling the truth is a sin, then yes I have committed one),” said the leader, whose expulsion has got the nod from the Governor.
The former BSP leader, who had joined Congress more than a decade back said his step is not new, he has always from time to time tried to show the Congress government its mistakes and “held a mirror” for it to correct itself.
He said had he not raised the reports flooding the newspapers everyday about the crimes being committed on women across the state, he would not feel comfortable looking into the eyes of “sisters and daughters” of the Udaipurwati Assembly constituency who helped him win the elections.
Gudha expressed shock and alarm at how the Gehlot government will have the strength to seek votes from the public in another four months when the state polls are due. “The ‘janta’ had trusted us so we could protect them. But after all this, how will we go to the public to seek votes. How will we face them then? All these things will come to haunt us,” he added.
Standing by his step on Friday that brought about his immediate expulsion from the Congress government, Gudha said, “I only said those things need to be fixed.” So now that he is being hailed by the Opposition BJP, in what seems to be him becoming one of their trump cards in the battle against the incumbent Gehlot administration, would Gudha make a big move? The former minister is cautious and said, he will think over things over the weekend and is in in no hurry.
However, what is clear is that the wheels of the upcoming polls in the state have already started churning. Gudha, who was once considered a strong supporter of Gehlot a year and a half back, is reported to have gone close to the Sachin Pilot camp. A Congress worker from Rajasthan who believes the camps need to dissolve to make the party return to power though accepts that Gudha’s tone and attitude did change suddenly from what it was at the time the resort fiasco took shape in the desert state that ripped apart the two camps.
In 2020, when Sachin Pilot rebelled against Gehlot, 6 BSP MLAs, including Gudha, played an important role in saving the government from collapse, by then joining the Congress. “And he was duly rewarded with ministerial post. But of late, Gudha has been constantly seen sharing the stage with Sachin Pilot. He has also made statements in support of the Tonk MLA many times. Gudha has even supported Pilot being given the post of CM,” a Congress leader told The Sunday Guardian, seeking anonymity.
As Gudha’s statement echoed what the BJP has been saying for some time, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Shekhawat hailed the expelled Congress minister for his might to be able to stand up against Gehlot in the Assembly.
Gudha in the Assembly on Friday said that the situation in Rajasthan is worse than that in Manipur. Alluding to a well-known Marwari saying, Shekhawat said: “Larai Balti to dikhai koni, dungar Balti dikhai.” (Gehlot was unable to see the horrors as they were too close to his home).
Rajasthan Congress co-incharge Amrita Dhawan told The Sunday Guardian: “Now, the BJP is supporting Rajendra Gudha. Have they forgot he is the same person who made an insulting statement about Mata Sita. Even BJP was outraged back then, now just because he is singing to BJP’s tune, it’s fine.”
Another Rajasthan Minister Parsadi Lal Meena, minister for excise, said Gudha’s departure is no loss to the party. Meena claimed, “People of the state are happy with the law and order situation in the state. Come and take a look. All this in the media is created, nothing but jumla to divert the Manipur crisis.” Meena said: “Gudha being a cabinet member should have consulted others. There is no question of questioning CM Gehlot’s decision.”