Rajya Sabha Polls: Congress Gives Out 'Hum Saath Saath Hai' Message Over Resort Politics In Rajasthan

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to break away his MLAs in Rajasthan now "as it did in Madhya Pradesh earlier".

Three Rajya Sabha seats will go to polls on June 19 in Rajasthan. (File Photo/ Getty)

Jaipur: As the Rajya Sabha polls approach, resort politics has returned to Rajasthan. A government that has sealed its borders to the neighbouring states, has send its MLAs to luxurious resorts out of the fear of horse-trading. As of now, 110 MLAs including the independents are staying at the resort. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to break away his MLAs in Rajasthan now "as it did in Madhya Pradesh earlier". On Thursday, CM had claimed that "One of our MLAs was offered Rs 25 crore, 10 crore in advance and 15 crore later as horse trading, but he informed us on time. We have been tipped that a huge cash amount has been transferred from Delhi to Jaipur recently which has been informed to us by investigative agencies." Reacting upon the allegations, the BJP asked the Congress to prove the charges. However, in contract to Gehlot's remarks, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief Sachin Pilot projected his ignorance about any such complaints and said that there is no such information of any MLA being sold or bought. The two perspectives from the same party raised questions on the credibility of the complaint and also hinted differences in top leaders of the state ruling party.

However, in the latest media briefing held on Friday, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot tried to project the unity among party members and intended to give out a message of 'Hum Saath Saath Hai'. Leaders from both the Pilot and Gehlot camp were reportedly seen seating across the dais again to give a message that they stand united. While briefing the media, CM said that the complaint pertaining to horse trading in Rajasthan has been made to the SOG. Meanwhile, as quoted by an IANS report, Congress whip Mahesh Joshi said that a large amount of money being sent to Rajasthan can be linked with 'Hawala' or money laundering, and hence an investigation should be conducted and adequate action should be taken against the accused. Three Rajya Sabha seats will go to polls on June 19 in Rajasthan where Congress has nominated two candidates -- K.C. Venugopal and Neeraj Dangi, while BJP has also fielded two candidates -- Rajendra Gehlot and Omkar Singh Lakhawat, making the elections interesting. (With inputs from IANS News Agency)