Rajasthan Crisis: Congress Reminds Shekhawat His 'Probe' Promise; Demands Resignation Over Audio Tape Row

Congress has demanded Union Minister's resignation for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Photo: File

The ongoing political row over leaked audio tapes escalated on Sunday as Congress has hit back at Bharatiya Janata Party with the demand of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's resignation for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Earlier this week, the Congress on Thursday released three audio clips purporting to be of "horse-trading" discussions, which it said, were being held between Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma of Sachin Pilot's camp, who were coordinating via a Jaipur resident.

Though the authenticity of the audio clips could not be verified by ABP news, various reports claimed that Sharma in the leaked audio clip is purportedly heard saying the rebel camp will soon gather 30 MLAs in their support. Another person is heard saying the government will be brought to its knees very soon. Union minister Shekhawat is purportedly heard saying it would take another 8-10 days and the rebel MLAs should stay at the hotel for this period as more MLAs will be joining the Pilot camp.

Reacting at this, party leader and former Union minister Ajay Maken said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Rajasthan police has registered a case and is probing the matter which involves MLA Sharma, Shekhawat and one Sanjay Jain in connection with the audio tapes of a purported conversation over horse-trading of Congress party MLAs.

"If Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is of some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving voice samples?" Maken asked.

He added that Shekhawat has no moral authority to continue as a Union minister and should resign so that the investigation is not influenced.

However, the Union Minister has said that the allegations are false and it is not his voice in the audio tapes. Shekhawat said that he is ready for any kind of probe as congress is making false statements.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who currently holds the Ministry of Jal Shakti in the Modi cabinet had defeated Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot during the Rajasthan election and emerged incumbent in the Jodhpur constituency.

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