Jaipur, June 25 (IANS) As the political confrontation between Cabinet Minister Dr Kirodi Lal Meena and Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra intensified, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has stepped in firmly, backing Dotasra and dismissing Kirodi’s allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated.

In a strongly worded post on X and subsequent remarks to the media, Gehlot said Kirodi has made a habit of leveling sensational allegations without evidence and claimed that none of the accusations he has made over the years have ever been proven.

“Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena has been making allegations against all of us, before the BJP formed the government and even after becoming a minister. Not a single allegation has been proved to date,” Gehlot said.

The former Chief Minister said that during the two-and-a-half years of BJP rule, Kirodi’s claims had failed to stand scrutiny and alleged that the minister was now attempting to divert attention from controversies surrounding himself.

Backing Dotasra, Gehlot said the Congress leader was being targeted without evidence. “Finding himself cornered, Kirodi Lal Meena is making completely false and baseless allegations against PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra. This reflects his desperation. The public is watching everything, and the end of this politics of lies is inevitable,” Gehlot wrote.

Speaking to reporters in Jodhpur, Gehlot said political allegations should be based on facts rather than rhetoric. “If there are facts, present them. False allegations should have no place in politics,” he said.

Taking exception to Kirodi’s repeated attacks on Dotasra, Gehlot said the Congress president occupies a position of dignity within the party. “A party president holds a position of prestige. If allegations are repeatedly made without facts, there is bound to be a reaction within the party. That reaction is visible today,” he said.

Gehlot further remarked that even Dotasra himself has questioned the basis of the allegations being levelled against him. The former Chief Minister also targeted Kirodi over his recent allegations regarding the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

“When allegations against him surfaced, he started claiming that the ACB was acting under pressure from the Chief Minister. On one hand, things are getting exposed, and on the other, excuses are being made,” Gehlot said.

Former minister and senior Congress leader Ramlal Jat also came out in support of Dotasra, accusing Kirodi of indulging in diversionary politics. “Making baseless allegations against Govind Singh Dotasra only exposes Kirodi’s desperation. The public understands everything, and the politics of falsehood cannot continue forever,” Jat said.

Party leaders said Gehlot’s aggressive defence of Dotasra is quite significant. For years, Kirodi Lal Meena has accused Dotasra of involvement in paper leak scandals and of allegedly influencing appointments of relatives and family members to key government positions. However, this is perhaps the first time since Congress moved into the opposition that Gehlot has so publicly and forcefully defended the PCC chief.

The development is being viewed not only as a response to Kirodi’s allegations but also as a signal of emerging political equations within the Congress.

–IANS

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