The ‘Gaurav Yatra’ might bring the same fate for Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, as it did with Lal Krishna Advani’s ‘India Shining Campaign’ in 2014. Surrounded by accusations by Congress party of using public money for her 40-day-tour, Raje will now have to deal with Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Gurjar community, who are all set to ensure her tour go awry.
Pradesh Congress Committee chief for Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot on August 3rd had alleged the Raje government of using tax payers’ money for her ‘Gaurav Yatra‘. Pilot took to twitter and attached supporting documents released by the State Public Works Department. He wrote, “It’s being claimed that CM Vasundhara ji’s ‘Gaurav Yatra’ in Rajasthan starting tomorrow is the launch of the BJP campaign for the upcoming state polls. The question is, should government money/tax payers’ money be spent for this Yatra? See the official order below…..”
The details of the attachments clearly show that State government had issued order to the government officers to take care of tent, sound systems and other arrangements and co-ordinate with the local officials.
Taking the matter into consideration, Congress has planned to attack Raje government with one question each day during her 40-day tour. As lynching are at an all-time high in Rajasthan, the matter is going to become worse from here.
Now, adding more worries, Vishwa Hindu Parishad has threatened Raje government that they would not let her ‘yatra’ to enter Alwar, if the accused of lynching Akbar Khan are not released. Addressing a gathering in Alwar on Tuesday, coordinator of the cow protection unit of the VHP, Kedarnath Tank, said that they would not tolerate such (arrest of people for lynching) illegal activities anymore, report TOI.
Tank had said, “The police had already accepted that Rakbar Khan was killed in police custody then why the persons arrested in connection with the incident were not freed.” Earlier, Ramgarh MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja too had demanded the release of lynching accused.
Perhaps this was only left – a reservation quota stir. After Maratha quota demand, people in the Gurjar community too have demanded five percent reservation from the state. The community has stated it clearly that they would not allow Raje to succeed in her ‘Gaurav Yatra’, if the promises are not fulfilled. The community will be protesting against the rally in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur in the State.
It would be interesting to see how events unfold in the upcoming weeks. With months left for the assembly elections in Rajasthan and Raje contesting for the second time, this ‘Gaurav Yatra’ might not bring pride to her ambitions.