That infighting is inherent in Congress is a well-known fact. In Rajasthan, the ‘differences’
in the state council of ministers came to the fore when Sports Minister Ashok Chandna said he
would prefer to be removed than being shown disrespect by officials in the Chief Minister’s office.
“Man-niya mukhya mantri ji mera aapse bekti gat anuradh hae ki mujhe is jillat bharey mantri pad sey mukt karey (My humble request to Chief Minister is that I should be relieved from my dishonourable responsibilities),” Chandna angrily tweeted in reference to conduct of the CM’s principal secretary Kuldeep Ranka.
For his part Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said Ashok Chandna’s tweet should not be
taken seriously as he might be under pressure due to the workload.
“A huge load is on him. Maybe he (Chandna) came under tension and made some comments.
It should not be taken seriously… will talk to him,” Gehlot told reporters.
In his tweet, Chandna also had said – that he should be relieved from ‘dishonourable ministerial’ post and give the charge of all my departments to Kuldeep Ranka. “He is anyway the minister of all the departments”.
Observers say the development comes just days ahead of Rajya Sabha elections in Rajasthan and indicates resentment within the party.
Congress MLA from Dungarpur Ganesh Ghogra has a few days back sent his resignation to Gehlot
to protest against a police case against him.
A two-time MLA from the Hindoli seat, Chandna holds Independent Charge of Sports & Youth Affairs and Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship besides serving as the Minister of State for DIPR, Disaster Management & Relief, Administrative Reforms & Coordination Dept, Statistics and Policy Planning.
BJP’s state unit president Satish Poonia took a dig at the Congress party saying “Jahaj doob raha hae (the ship is sinking)”.
Rajasthan is slated for elections to as many as four Rajya Sabha seats.
