New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said his state ranks 10th in cases of rape and murder, as compared to states where the saffron party is in power, which feature among top three in the list, news agency ANI reported. He said Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP is in power, rank first, second and third respectively.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, CM Gehlot said, “In cases of rape with murder, Rajasthan is on tenth whereas Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh are on first, second and third respectively in the country.”
#WATCH | Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in a press conference, says: “In cases of Rape with Murder, Rajasthan is on tenth whereas UP, Assam and MP are on first, second and third respectively in the country…The opposition leaders and ministers are spreading rumours deliberately to… pic.twitter.com/SDyz7Tnedt
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023
He further accused the BJP leaders of “spreading rumours” in order to defame Rajasthan.
“The BJP leaders and ministers are spreading rumours deliberately to defame Rajasthan. But these figures expose their real intentions,” the chief minister said.
His remarks came weeks after the BJP mounted an attack on the Rajasthan government over “police inaction” after a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Bhilwara. According to reports, the body parts of the minor was found in a coal furnace after she was allegedly raped.
Claiming “fake encounters” in BJP-ruled states, CM Gehlot said there are “real encounters” in Rajasthan with the law-enforcement authorities going after criminals.
“There’s a difference between fake encounters and real encounters. Rajasthan does not have the tradition of fake encounters, we don’t want this tradition to come here,” CM Gehlot said.
VIDEO | “There’s a difference between fake encounters and real encounters. Rajasthan does not have the tradition of fake encounters, we don’t want this tradition to come here,” says Rajasthan CM @ashokgehlot51. pic.twitter.com/gvm8lBcdhz
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2023
It is to be noted that a BJP delegation of women parliamentarians had visited the state in the wake of the Bhilwara incident and said the girl could have been saved if the police were alert.
BJP MP Locket Chatterjee had said the Congress raises a hue and cry about what is going on in other states, but they do not know what is happening in the states ruled by them. She was referring to the Manipur violence.