Leaked Audio Allegedly Exposes Plot to Topple Rajasthan Government

In a recent development that has stirred the political landscape of Rajasthan, Lokesh Sharma, the former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Ashok Gehlot, has made a startling revelation regarding the origins of the audio clips related to an alleged conspiracy to topple the state's Congress government in 2020. Contrary to his earlier assertion that he acquired the clips from social media, Sharma now claims that it was Gehlot himself who handed him the recordings.

Sharma disclosed that the former Chief Minister provided him with the controversial audio clips via a pen drive, instructing him to disseminate them among media outlets. This admission marks a significant shift in Sharma's narrative and implicates Gehlot directly in the dissemination of the recordings, which purportedly feature conversations between Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and some Congress leaders.

The allegations do not stop at the distribution of audio clips. Sharma accused Gehlot of orchestrating a scheme to discredit both Shekhawat and then-Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot. He alleged that Gehlot engaged in phone surveillance against Pilot and other Congress members, was implicated in the Rajasthan Teacher Eligibility Test (REET) paper leak scandal, and misled the party's high command.

In response to these charges, Delhi Police lodged an FIR against Sharma in March 2021 for criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and illegal interception of telephonic conversations following a complaint by Shekhawat. Sharma has since sought legal recourse to quash the FIR, with the Delhi High Court granting him an interim stay against any coercive action in June 2021.

Sharma's account details his compliance with Gehlot's instructions to circulate the audio clips without revealing their source, even under interrogation by the Crime Branch. He recounted how, after distributing the clips as directed, he faced neglect and mental anguish when legal troubles arose despite assurances of support from Gehlot.

The controversy traces back to July 16, 2020, amidst a political crisis within the Rajasthan Congress. Sharma narrated how he was summoned by Gehlot to receive the pen drive containing three audio clips and their transcripts for media circulation. Following Gehlot's instructions led Sharma into a whirlwind of scrutiny and personal distress, culminating in his public disclosure.

Further complicating matters, Sharma accused Gehlot of engaging in corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, including scandals related to mining and fraudulent schemes aimed at distributing mobile phones to women in 2023. He also criticized Gehlot for prioritizing his son Vaibhav Gehlot's political ambitions over the welfare of Rajasthan's youth.

This unfolding saga sheds light on internal conflicts within the Rajasthan Congress and raises questions about governance and ethical conduct among its leaders. As investigations proceed and political dynamics evolve, this controversy is poised to leave an indelible mark on Rajasthan's political narrative.