Gehlot ridicules Advani for observation about anti-incumbency

Jaipur, Nov 7 (UNI) AICC General Secretary and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today ridiculed BJP Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani's statement about the anti-incumbency factor against Vasundhara Raje Government in the state.

Talking to reporters here this afternoon, Mr Gehlot said Mr Advani's observation, made in his speech at a BJP meet here yesterday, about the non-existence of anti incumbency threat against the Raje Government was actually aimed at defending the CM.

The Congress leader said the reported move of denial for party ticket to over 50 percent of 120 sitting BJP MLAs itself was an admission to existence of strong anti incumbency against the government.

Mr Gehlot said anti incumbency actually was against Ms Raje and coterie which was targeted by Ms Raje's cabinet colleagues and senior party functionaries for corruption and scams.

BJP Vice President and sitting MP Kailash Meghwal and Health Minister Narpat Singh Rajvi and some other Ministers levelled serious allegations against Ms Raje and senior leaders like former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and former BJP state President sitting MP LK Chaturvedi and publicly expressed their dismay r prevailing corruption.

He said Mr Advani could not counter anti incumbency by making some sitting MLAs a scapegoats.

"Chief Minister and her coterie were responsible for it and she should own her responsibility", the former CM said.

He also ridiculed the ruling party to adopt Gujarat model of election strategy in Rajasthan and said that this would not work.

Mr Gehlot said that political situation here and in Gandhinagar was different and therefore same model and approach could not work.

Mr Gehlot expressed satisfaction over his party's prospects at the hustings and said "Congress is set to stage a come back to the power as with impressive electoral win".

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