Red Diary: Political storm unleashed in Rajasthan ahead of polls
Red Diary: In a dramatic turn of events in the Rajasthan Assembly, MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha waved a red diary, claiming it could "expose" Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, setting off a heated exchange between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP. The incident has become the biggest suspense in the run-up to the upcoming elections, just four months away.
Gudha, representing Udaipurwati in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, was marshalled out of the House after the episode. He alleged that he was assaulted, and some Congress leaders snatched the diary from his hand and tore some pages. The controversy came after Mr. Gudha was suddenly dismissed as a minister following his remarks on the state government's handling of crimes against women.
Amid the uproar in the Assembly over a horrifying video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur, the MLA expressed his concerns about the safety of women in Rajasthan, leading to further tensions. The red diary and its contents have now taken center stage, adding to the already heightened political atmosphere as the state gears up for the upcoming polls.
MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha alleges explosive information against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. He claims the diary, belonging to Dharmendra Rathore, a close aide of the Chief Minister and chairperson of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, contains details of pay-offs to MLAs and Independents during the 2020 rebellion led by Sachin Pilot.
Gudha further alleges that the diary reveals Congress' pay-offs to ensure victory in tough contests against BJP-backed Independent and media baron Subhash Chandra.
Gudha claims to have retrieved the red diary before Income Tax officials found it during a raid at Rathore's home, allegedly on Gehlot's request. The Chief Minister supposedly asked him to burn the diary.
The Congress denies the allegations, labeling them fabricated and accusing Gudha and the BJP of hatching a plot.
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The red diary's mystery has become a potent political weapon for the Opposition BJP in the lead-up to the Assembly polls. The ruling Congress is striving to prevent its internal conflicts from jeopardizing its electoral prospects. However, the emergence of a corruption scandal, implicating none other than Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, could severely tarnish the state government's image.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, a prominent BJP leader in Rajasthan and Union Minister, accused the Congress government of setting new records of corruption. He asserted that many leaders' political survival would be at stake if the contents of the enigmatic "red diary" were revealed.
Shekhawat questioned why the government and its leader were displaying such nervousness and secrecy regarding the red diary's details, leaving everyone in Rajasthan eager to unravel the mystery.
Rajendra Gudha is a seasoned two-time MLA representing Udaipurwati in the state of Rajasthan. Initially associated with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), he made a significant political shift in 2019, joining the Congress along with five other BSP MLAs. This move bolstered the Congress's stability and played a pivotal role in navigating the storm of the 2020 rebellion. Despite the upheaval, Gudha remained steadfastly aligned with the Gehlot camp.
However, as the Congress faces yet another revolt within its ranks, its leaders have taken a critical stance towards Gudha. They consider him an "opportunist" who utilized political maneuvering to secure power and a ministerial position by contesting on a BSP ticket and later switching to the Congress.
According to Congress sources, Gudha has displayed a recurring "habit" of seeking out political opportunities, particularly when elections draw near. His history of shifting allegiances raises questions about his commitment to a particular party's ideology and principles.
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- With inputs from agencies
