New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that a “red diary” would defeat the Congress in Rajasthan, referring to a document that claims to have details of financial irregularities of the Congress-ruled state government.
Addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Sikar, Modi said the diary would defeat the party in the upcoming Assembly elections.
“The ‘lal diary’ is a fresh project of the Congress’ ‘jhoot ki dukan’… it is said the party’s dark deeds are recorded in this diary,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi was referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comments after winning the Karnataka elections in May. Gandhi had said: “In Karnataka, ‘nafrat ka bazaar (market of hate)’ has closed down, ‘mohabbat ki dukaanein’ (shops of love) have opened.”
The red diary surfaced in the political discourse after expelled state Congress minister Rajendra Gudha wanted to introduce it in the Rajasthan Assembly.
Gudha was sacked by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot last Friday, hours after he cornered the government over the “deteriorating” law and order in the state.
When his compatriots were protesting the Manipur violence in the Assembly – particularly the alleged abuse and rape of two women – Gudha sought accountability from his own government over crimes against women.
The state unit of the BJP then asked Gehlot, who is also the home minister, to take responsibility for the “poor” state of law and order in Rajasthan.
On Thursday in Sikar, Modi claimed the Congress government had “kept the people yearning for basic amenities”.
The Prime Minister inaugurated various development projects in the state Thursday, including releasing the 14th instalment of the Centre’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Funds of Rs 17,000 crore were directly released into the bank accounts of more than 8.5 crore beneficiaries.
In a significant move benefiting farmers, Modi also dedicated 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samridhhi Kendras – a one-stop solution for farmers’ needs.
He said: “The Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years… Our government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea.”
Earlier in the day, Ashok Gehlot alleged the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event. The PMO, however, said it was informed by Gehlot’s office that he would not be able to attend the programme.
At the rally, Modi mentioned that Gehlot had been ill for a few days and prayed for his good health.
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