Jaipur: Launching a scathing attack on the former Congress government in Rajasthan for operating out of hotels for months and harassing lakhs of youth in the paper leak cases, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma accused the former Gehlot government of harboring criminals and He was also held responsible. For the existing electricity and water problem in the state. In an exclusive interview given to IANS, the CM accused Congress of nepotism and said that former CM Ashok Gehlot's camping in Jalore, Amethi and Rae Bareli proves how deep the roots of nepotism have become.
Speaking on the Robert Vadra case, the CM said that no one will be spared if they have done wrong, no matter how powerful they are. He said that the bulldozing action against the corrupt and criminals who have flourished under the Gehlot government in Rajasthan will continue and confirmed that the paper leak mafia will be behind bars.
Excerpts from the interview: IANS: There is a crisis of electricity and water amid the scorching heat. What do you have to say in this matter?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Gross mismanagement during the five-year rule of the former Congress government is currently troubling the state.The previous state government was functioning from within the confines of five-star hotels for many months and hence failed to provide good governance and was rejected by the people. Rajasthan is synonymous with scorching summers. However, ignoring this fact, the Congress government took over power from separate states in August and September in 2022-23 and signed an MoU for their return.
Now, we are facing problems as 1.67 lakh units of power is being returned to these states, creating a demand-supply imbalance in the state. Along with returning so many units, we are also providing regular electricity to the people.Moreover, the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at addressing the water problem in the state, was also not implemented on time by the previous government. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2023, however, the Congress government failed to implement it. Actually, he misused Jal Jeevan Mission funds; Congress has a tendency to mismanage things.
IANS: How is the BJP government correcting these errors?
Bhajanlal Sharma: We have signed MoUs worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore to boost energy production, strengthen the energy transmission system in the state and set up new projects for the generation of thermal and renewable energy. In the next two years, every citizen of Rajasthan including farmers will get smooth power supply and Rajasthan will become a power surplus state.We have also implemented the East Rajasthan Canal Project and signed an agreement with the Haryana government to share the excess water flowing from Hathnikund barrage especially during rainy days.IANS: Will BJP score a hat-trick in the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan? Will you be able to make it?
Bhajanlal Sharma: BJP won all the seats in 2014 and 2019 assembly elections and we will win all the seats in 2024 also.
IANS: You campaigned in various states during the Lok Sabha elections. How do you see people's perception?Bhajanlal Sharma: I can say that 'June 4, 400 crossed' will be a reality. People have great confidence in the leadership of PM Modi because they have seen a rising India after 2014.They know that the Prime Minister fulfills his promises. They have confidence in their policies because they have seen them implemented whether it is welfare schemes for the poor, development schemes, border security or freedom from terrorism and Naxalism. He has seen the growing stature of India at the global level. So, I can say that 'June 4, 400 crossed' will be a reality.
IANS: PM Modi said in an election rally in Rajasthan that people have just seen the trailer of Bhajan Lal government, the full picture is yet to be seen. Your comments...
Bhajanlal Sharma: The people of Rajasthan trusted BJP and gave it the Dwij mandate in the assembly elections. As soon as we came to power, we fulfilled our 40-4 percent election promises.ERCP has been implemented, the accused in the sub-inspector exam paper leak case have been sent behind bars. Now we will fulfill the expectations of the people and our government will work towards fulfilling the remaining commitments made in its election manifesto. That's why the PM said that it was just a trailer. Rajasthan will touch new heights by fulfilling the remaining promises. IANS: What will be the main issues of focus after the removal of the Model Code of Conduct? The unemployment rate in Rajasthan is at second place. Any special plans?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Just wait and see.We will take major action to eliminate corruption and crime. There will be big ticket projects aimed at creating new jobs. We are looking at other sectors including tourism, manufacturing and mining to write a strong growth story and create new jobs.
IANS: Tourists from all over the world want to see the culture of Rajasthan. Any plan for rural tourism? Bhajanlal Sharma: Tourism is in the priority list of Rajasthan government, rural tourism is an important factor in it. We will promote our 'Village Mansions and Village Homes' to showcase the culture of rural tourism.The government also aims to promote religious tourism. We plan to bring Krishna Circuit on the lines of Ram Circuit under which Rajasthan and UP governments will work together to promote the Braj region spanning Rajasthan and UP. Special circuits will be created to promote religious tourism, wildlife tourism and rural tourism. Braj Bhoomi, Bagad area, temples like Tripura Sundari, Sita Sanctuary, Temple of Seven Mothers, Sarisk and other such places will be promoted and special circuits will be created based on the interest of tourists.
IANS: Any special plan to promote sports culture?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Sports is another sector which the government will promote.There is keen interest in sports among the youth of Rajasthan. Many sports talents have emerged from Shekhawati region and hence we are planning to promote sports culture in the state. Wait for a few months and you will see the results start coming in.IANS: How do you plan to take forward the central government schemes that could not be started during the Gehlot government's tenure?
Bhajanlal Sharma: We have seen that many farmers were deprived of the benefits of Kisan Samman Nidhi because the Gehlot government did not include the names of male farmers in the beneficiary list, due to which they were deprived of receiving the funds in their accounts. We added the names of 63000 such farmers to the list. Central government schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission were not completed on time, it was to be completed in 2023, Ayushman Bharat scheme was not implemented properly, they were careless in implementing the central schemes and now we will ensure that These ambitious plans should be implemented on the ground
IANS: Clash between Gehlot-Pilot factions for five years? Do you think the state suffered loss because of this? Bhajanlal Sharma: Congress has a tendency to harass people. His government worked from hotels for months.In a democracy it is important to be responsible towards the public. This is a sacred rule, however water and electricity saw mismanagement by the Las government, they did not do the work they were expected to do and hence they were thrown out. In Rajasthan, our government took decisions which were pending for decades.
IANS: Robert Vadra land scam case under jurisdiction. ED is investigating the case. Will strict action be taken against him?
Bhajanlal Sharma: If anyone has done wrong, no matter who it is, no matter how big a person it is, it will not be tolerated and the guilty will be punished.IANS: Do you think matters slowed down during Gehlot's tenure?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Congress is known for following the policy of nepotism and it is a proven fact that it has been protecting those who do wrong. This has been going on for years. Even in the current circumstances, Gehlot camped in Jalore (from where his son contested as a Lok Sabha candidate on a Congress ticket) and Rae Bareli (known as the seat of the Gandhi family) and it is a matter of nepotism. A clear example.
IANS: Rajasthan government is making headlines for its bulldozer action. Will this continue? How will the state get rid of the tag of a criminal state? Bhajanlal Sharma: Our government will ensure punishment to those who do wrong. We will fulfill all the promises that we made to the public such as punishing the corrupt and criminals. Land mafia, mining mafia and gangsters were flourishing here.Crime has already been controlled and we will continue to curb criminals.
IANS: Several trainee SIs have been arrested in the paper leak case. Will this trend continue against another paper leak mafia?
Bhajanlal Sharma: We have told the people that we will not spare people who have betrayed the trust of our youth. We have formed an SIT, which has started its work, and I still say that if anyone has done wrong, they will definitely go behind the bars, and we will not spare anyone... The SIT has started the investigation. During the investigation, it was found that how the papers were being prepared was leaked and how fake candidates were included in the examination in place of original candidates. S We had to get justice.IANS: There was a lot of discussion on Lal Dairy. Will more pages be opened in the future?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Absolutely, more pages will open. Just wait and be patient, more details will be coming.
Speaking on the Robert Vadra case, the CM said that no one will be spared if they have done wrong, no matter how powerful they are. He said that the bulldozing action against the corrupt and criminals who have flourished under the Gehlot government in Rajasthan will continue and confirmed that the paper leak mafia will be behind bars.
Excerpts from the interview: IANS: There is a crisis of electricity and water amid the scorching heat. What do you have to say in this matter?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Gross mismanagement during the five-year rule of the former Congress government is currently troubling the state.The previous state government was functioning from within the confines of five-star hotels for many months and hence failed to provide good governance and was rejected by the people. Rajasthan is synonymous with scorching summers. However, ignoring this fact, the Congress government took over power from separate states in August and September in 2022-23 and signed an MoU for their return.
Now, we are facing problems as 1.67 lakh units of power is being returned to these states, creating a demand-supply imbalance in the state. Along with returning so many units, we are also providing regular electricity to the people.Moreover, the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at addressing the water problem in the state, was also not implemented on time by the previous government. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2023, however, the Congress government failed to implement it. Actually, he misused Jal Jeevan Mission funds; Congress has a tendency to mismanage things.
IANS: How is the BJP government correcting these errors?
Bhajanlal Sharma: We have signed MoUs worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore to boost energy production, strengthen the energy transmission system in the state and set up new projects for the generation of thermal and renewable energy. In the next two years, every citizen of Rajasthan including farmers will get smooth power supply and Rajasthan will become a power surplus state.We have also implemented the East Rajasthan Canal Project and signed an agreement with the Haryana government to share the excess water flowing from Hathnikund barrage especially during rainy days.IANS: Will BJP score a hat-trick in the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan? Will you be able to make it?
Bhajanlal Sharma: BJP won all the seats in 2014 and 2019 assembly elections and we will win all the seats in 2024 also.
IANS: You campaigned in various states during the Lok Sabha elections. How do you see people's perception?Bhajanlal Sharma: I can say that 'June 4, 400 crossed' will be a reality. People have great confidence in the leadership of PM Modi because they have seen a rising India after 2014.They know that the Prime Minister fulfills his promises. They have confidence in their policies because they have seen them implemented whether it is welfare schemes for the poor, development schemes, border security or freedom from terrorism and Naxalism. He has seen the growing stature of India at the global level. So, I can say that 'June 4, 400 crossed' will be a reality.
IANS: PM Modi said in an election rally in Rajasthan that people have just seen the trailer of Bhajan Lal government, the full picture is yet to be seen. Your comments...
Bhajanlal Sharma: The people of Rajasthan trusted BJP and gave it the Dwij mandate in the assembly elections. As soon as we came to power, we fulfilled our 40-4 percent election promises.ERCP has been implemented, the accused in the sub-inspector exam paper leak case have been sent behind bars. Now we will fulfill the expectations of the people and our government will work towards fulfilling the remaining commitments made in its election manifesto. That's why the PM said that it was just a trailer. Rajasthan will touch new heights by fulfilling the remaining promises. IANS: What will be the main issues of focus after the removal of the Model Code of Conduct? The unemployment rate in Rajasthan is at second place. Any special plans?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Just wait and see.We will take major action to eliminate corruption and crime. There will be big ticket projects aimed at creating new jobs. We are looking at other sectors including tourism, manufacturing and mining to write a strong growth story and create new jobs.
IANS: Tourists from all over the world want to see the culture of Rajasthan. Any plan for rural tourism? Bhajanlal Sharma: Tourism is in the priority list of Rajasthan government, rural tourism is an important factor in it. We will promote our 'Village Mansions and Village Homes' to showcase the culture of rural tourism.The government also aims to promote religious tourism. We plan to bring Krishna Circuit on the lines of Ram Circuit under which Rajasthan and UP governments will work together to promote the Braj region spanning Rajasthan and UP. Special circuits will be created to promote religious tourism, wildlife tourism and rural tourism. Braj Bhoomi, Bagad area, temples like Tripura Sundari, Sita Sanctuary, Temple of Seven Mothers, Sarisk and other such places will be promoted and special circuits will be created based on the interest of tourists.
IANS: Any special plan to promote sports culture?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Sports is another sector which the government will promote.There is keen interest in sports among the youth of Rajasthan. Many sports talents have emerged from Shekhawati region and hence we are planning to promote sports culture in the state. Wait for a few months and you will see the results start coming in.IANS: How do you plan to take forward the central government schemes that could not be started during the Gehlot government's tenure?
Bhajanlal Sharma: We have seen that many farmers were deprived of the benefits of Kisan Samman Nidhi because the Gehlot government did not include the names of male farmers in the beneficiary list, due to which they were deprived of receiving the funds in their accounts. We added the names of 63000 such farmers to the list. Central government schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission were not completed on time, it was to be completed in 2023, Ayushman Bharat scheme was not implemented properly, they were careless in implementing the central schemes and now we will ensure that These ambitious plans should be implemented on the ground
IANS: Clash between Gehlot-Pilot factions for five years? Do you think the state suffered loss because of this? Bhajanlal Sharma: Congress has a tendency to harass people. His government worked from hotels for months.In a democracy it is important to be responsible towards the public. This is a sacred rule, however water and electricity saw mismanagement by the Las government, they did not do the work they were expected to do and hence they were thrown out. In Rajasthan, our government took decisions which were pending for decades.
IANS: Robert Vadra land scam case under jurisdiction. ED is investigating the case. Will strict action be taken against him?
Bhajanlal Sharma: If anyone has done wrong, no matter who it is, no matter how big a person it is, it will not be tolerated and the guilty will be punished.IANS: Do you think matters slowed down during Gehlot's tenure?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Congress is known for following the policy of nepotism and it is a proven fact that it has been protecting those who do wrong. This has been going on for years. Even in the current circumstances, Gehlot camped in Jalore (from where his son contested as a Lok Sabha candidate on a Congress ticket) and Rae Bareli (known as the seat of the Gandhi family) and it is a matter of nepotism. A clear example.
IANS: Rajasthan government is making headlines for its bulldozer action. Will this continue? How will the state get rid of the tag of a criminal state? Bhajanlal Sharma: Our government will ensure punishment to those who do wrong. We will fulfill all the promises that we made to the public such as punishing the corrupt and criminals. Land mafia, mining mafia and gangsters were flourishing here.Crime has already been controlled and we will continue to curb criminals.
IANS: Several trainee SIs have been arrested in the paper leak case. Will this trend continue against another paper leak mafia?
Bhajanlal Sharma: We have told the people that we will not spare people who have betrayed the trust of our youth. We have formed an SIT, which has started its work, and I still say that if anyone has done wrong, they will definitely go behind the bars, and we will not spare anyone... The SIT has started the investigation. During the investigation, it was found that how the papers were being prepared was leaked and how fake candidates were included in the examination in place of original candidates. S We had to get justice.IANS: There was a lot of discussion on Lal Dairy. Will more pages be opened in the future?
Bhajanlal Sharma: Absolutely, more pages will open. Just wait and be patient, more details will be coming.
