Lok Sabha elections 2024: ‘UPA will also build Ram temple, it’s Supreme Court order’: Ashok Gehlot to NDTV

Rajasthan, which has 25 Lok Sabha seats, will go to polls in two phases starting from Friday.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has tried to stop the BJP from capitalizing on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, which is seen as a major electoral issue. Ashok Gehlot said the Supreme Court had ordered the construction of the temple and even the Congress – which it would have done if the UPA alliance was in power.

The senior Congress leader said in an exclusive interview with New Delhi TV on Tuesday that the BJP was not outgunned by the BJP which won all 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2014 and 24 seats in 2019 (the only remaining seats won by allies) and last year’s parliamentary elections. The results of the upcoming election will shock everyone.

“BJP is trying to confuse and distract people with ‘400’ slogan a pair(The seat target set by the party for the NDA in the upcoming polls). The atmosphere they are trying to create is an artificial one. In 2014, they had 31% of the vote, meaning the majority of votes went against them. In 2019, they received 38%. Yes, the votes were divided but that does not mean they got more than 50 per cent mandate,” Mr Gehlot said in Hindi.

The former chief minister reiterated the opposition’s accusations against the BJP-led government of misuse of central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, Confederation of Indian Industry and Income Tax department, accusing the BJP of doing whatever it pleased.

“They installed a washing machine and the entire country knew what happened to the machine. The BJP MPs did not do anything for Rajasthan or the people of the state. People in every district are asking why they are missing,” He said.

When he was asked about the BJP saying that one of the major issues of the opposition has been resolved with the construction of the Ram temple, he was referring to questions raised by various parties as to why the promises in the BJP’s successive manifestos were not fulfilled. , Mr. Gehlot said, “This is not the problem of the opposition, it is their own problem. The Supreme Court passed an order that if there was a UPA government, we would also build this temple because their government came to power.” It,” he said.

‘India’s image damaged’

Attacking the government’s alleged excesses, Mr Gehlot claimed that India’s image had taken a hit because of two chief ministers – former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejri Val – arrested.

“It’s being talked about all over the world. The United States and Germany have talked about it. They (the government) also froze Congress bank accounts. The United Nations talked about it before the election… On the one hand, they are talking about’ 400 a pair’ On the other hand, they are recruiting people from the opposition,” he said.

“Twice clarifying bond issue”

Gehlot said the party was concerned about the BJP’s claim that the opposition received more money than itself through electoral bonds.

“The Prime Minister has clarified twice on this issue. He has never clarified or commented on anything… That should tell you all you need to know. The Supreme Court has declared the scheme illegal. They are using the Education Department To get funds, which institution do we have? They have raised Rs 8,500 crore in their accounts through this route,” he said.

Party unity?

Vaibhav Gehlot, son of the former chief minister, is contesting from Jalore-Sirohi Lok Sabha constituency and senior Congress leaders said they have received good reports about the party’s performance in the seat. Mr Gehlot said: “Why only Vaibhav, all our candidates – despite not being able to secure funding – will do well as our dedicated staff scrape by on meager resources.”

The senior Congress leader said he was satisfied with the distribution of tickets. When he was asked if the party was united, given his past differences with former deputy Sachin Pilot, his answer was in the affirmative.

The first phase of the general election will be held on Friday, with 12 constituencies in Rajasthan going to vote on the same day. The remainder will be voted on in the second phase on April 26, with counting completed on June 4.