Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot says "Kovind made president because of his caste"; draws BJP wrath

During a press conference, Gehlot said that Ram Nath Kovind was made the president of the country to balance the caste equations ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls in 2017, while referring to a news article he read.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot/ File Image: PTI

Gehlot said that Ram Nath Kovind was made the president of the country to balance the caste equations ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls in 2017, while referring to a news article.

He further said that BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani was snubbed by the party though he had to become the President.

BJP has demanded apology from the Rajasthan CM and also urged the Election Commission to take cognisance of the matter and take action against Gehlot.

New Delhi: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot stirred up a huge row on Monday with his remark on President Ram Nath Kovind’s caste. Gehlot said that Ram Nath Kovind was made the president of the country to balance the caste equations ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls in 2017, while referring to a news article. While addressing a press conference in Jaipur, Ashok made a reference to an article he read, which said that PM Modi upon the advice of BJP Chief Amit Shah decided to make Ram Nath Kovind as the President. "People even say that Ram Nath Kovind was made president considering Gujarat assembly elections in 2017. I was reading an article. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) was afraid that he was not going to form the government in Gujarat. BJP chief Amit Shah might have given him suggestion after which it was decided to make Ram Nath Kovind the president," Gehlot said referring to the article. He further said that BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani was snubbed by the party though he deserved to become the President. He said: “Lal Krishna) Advani was left out though he had to become the president. People of the country had expectation that he (Advani) will get the honour which he deserved but was deprived. Though it is BJP's internal issue, I am discussing it because I read an article.” An infuriated Bharatiya Janata Party demanded apology from the Rajasthan CM  and also urged the Election Commission to take cognisance of the matter and take action against Gehlot. Kovind was elected president in July 2017 and Gujarat assembly elections were held in December in the year. "It is very unfortunate that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, a senior Congress leader who himself is on a constitutional post made casteist remark against the president, who is the custodian of the Constitution," BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao said, addressing a press conference in Delhi. He said the remark showed "anti-Dalit" mindset of the Congress. "We request the Election Commission to take suo-moto cognisance of Gehlot's remarks against the president," he said. The BJP also lashed out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his remark on Modi community during his Nanded speech where he said “how come all thieves have 'Modi' as the common surname”.  He was referring to fugitive businessman Nirav Modi and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi.

Published at : 17 Apr 2019 04:18 PM (IST)

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