Rajasthan poll 2023: Only President's visit remains as BJP leaders make a beeline to state, says CM Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took a dig at the frequent visits of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders to the state, saying that only President Droupadi Murmu's visit is left now. The remarks came as Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited the poll-bound state soon.

Gehlot said the BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been making frequent visits to the state. "Now, only the President remains to come here," he said during a public meeting in Kotputli-Behror district.

He added that the BJP leaders are visiting the state aggressively because they could not topple the Congress government. "There is no problem if leaders come to the state, but don't send the Vice President as he holds a constitutional post. We all respect the Vice President and the President," Gehlot said.

The chief minister further said that he has a good personal relationship with the Vice President. "If Dhankhar saab becomes the President tomorrow, it will be a matter of pride for us that a person from Rajasthan has become the President. But if you go out to campaigns, please spare us. Let the people decide," he said.

Assembly elections are due in the state later in November-December this year.

Gehlot also accused BJP leaders of toppling elected governments in the country through horse-trading of MLAs. "Elected governments were toppled in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. There is a burning sensation in their heart that they could not succeed in Rajasthan. It was because of your (people's) blessings," he said.

Pointing towards the political crisis of 2020, he said, "I alone could not have saved the government. The high command was with us. Sonia Gandhi ji, Rahul Gandhi ji had sent the entire team here." Gehlot said that Prime Minister Modi should first give a guarantee to the public that the Congress government's schemes will not be discontinued if the BJP comes to power in the state.