Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came down heavily on the Narendra Modi government for the coal crisis and Lakhimpur Kheri incident. After recovering from Covid-19 and other related complications, Gehlot looked in form. Apart from meeting officials and taking quick decisions on matters of public welfare, Gehlot is also targeting the Opposition in Rajasthan. Addressing journalists after a long time, the Chief Minister attacked the BJP for a press conference organized against him. He also ridiculed the BJP’s attempt to liken the Lakhimpur Kheri violence to some incidents that happened in Rajasthan. Gehlot addressed multiple issues in a conversation with The Daily Guardian. Excerpts:
Q: What do you have to say about the ongoing electricity crisis?
A: See, it should not be a matter of any controversy. The entire country, particularly North India, is facing a power crisis. This crisis may assume an alarming proportion. But before that happens, the Central government should cooperate with the states. Most of the states have apprised the Central government of this problem. Nobody can predict how big this crisis is going to be. Coal India should come forward and talk to the states about its problems and requirements—that rainwater affected coal mines operation may be one reason. But as far as I know, the contractors of several mines failed. So, the crisis is hitting the entire country, and most of the states. National capital Delhi is staring at a blackout. There is a crisis in China and Europe. Coal prices in the entire world, including Indonesia, have gone up by 4-5 times. Even then, coal is not available.
Q: What is the way out then?
A: It is surprising that prices have risen, and even then coal is not available. What is more surprising is that some say that this crisis will continue till March. Now, it is the Central government’s responsibility to help the states. A backlog of Rs 500-600 crore is not a big issue in view of the fact that coals worth billions of rupees are sold. There is no use saying this much amount remains to be paid. I believe that the Union Power Minister is capable of dealing with the existing situation. The way he is coordinating, he will find a solution. It shows dishonesty to say that there is no shortage of coal and to put responsibility on the state. Everybody knows that there is a coal shortage and it is the Centre’s responsibility to help states.
Q: Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra has not yet been sacked in the Lakhimpur violence case. What do you have to say about it?
A: Congress is holding agitation to step up pressure for that. Our leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had to hold a demonstration on the road. Agitations are taking place in most of the states. But the Central government has closed its eyes to all this. Lakhimpur violence is really heart wrenching. Innocent farmers were run over by a vehicle. We haven’t seen anything like this in the past. Are the PM and CM not aware of this incident? The PM is saying that there should not be discrimination in the states. Who wants discrimination in the states? We also do not want discrimination. The violence should be condemned no matter where it is happening.
Q: You have urged the Governor to return the Marriage Act Amendment Bill. Is the government going to prepare it afresh?
A: We want it to be returned as there is no question of our prestige in it. The Supreme Court had ruled that registration of marriage must be made compulsory. This was aimed at protecting the child from any future problem. The bill was brought with this objective. If there is an issue with the bill or if it has some flaws, then we don’t have any problem taking it back.
Q: Vaccine for children has got approval. What is your view on that?
A: This is a good development that a vaccine for kids aged 2-18 years has been approved. I hope that the vaccination of children will also take place at a fast pace. All the states should come forward for the same. With children vaccinated, the third wave will not be there as was being feared. Rajasthan will spare no effort in terms of vaccination. We have achieved a good reputation in vaccination. Rajasthan is one of 3-4 states with the highest vaccination rate. Children will be vaccinated in a similar way.
Q: An incident at Hanumangarh is being compared with the Lakhimpur violence.
A: They are talking rubbish. This is an act of foolishness on the part of BJP leaders to compare these incidents. They are repeatedly questioning why Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi are not coming to Rajasthan. We have our government in Rajasthan. You should ask Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah to come to Rajasthan and see what is what. We as an opposition will go to the states where there are ruling party’s, other party’s governments, whether it is UP or any other state. I wonder how leaders who are contenders for CM post are talking foolishly saying why Priyanka Gandhi Vadra or Rahul Gandhi is not coming to Rajasthan. They will go where the other party or Centre’s ruling party is in power. It is the PM, HM or J.P. Nadda who should come to Rajasthan. They should go and check why such an incident happened in Hanumangarh. We condemned it. We took immediate action and caught all those involved in it. Even then the team is being sent from here. They are such senseless fellows that they don’t know what should be done in what circumstances. None of them visited the kin of the man who was killed. That is why they don’t know the reality. All that they do is make comments on social media.
Q: The BJP has sent three MLAs to Peelinbanga. What is your take on that?
A: This is just foolishness. If they had gone there the same day when a man lost his life, they would have come to know about the reality. The need for sending this delegation would not have arisen.