Jaipur, June 17 (IANS) Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra has launched a sharp counterattack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over allegations surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming visit to Kota, asserting that the previous Congress government had taken stringent action against paper leaks, including enacting a law providing for life imprisonment.

He also accused the BJP on Tuesday of removing Rahul Gandhi’s posters and said that there is possibility of his train being delayed as concocted plan and therefore a charter aircraft has been kept as “B Plan” for his scheduled visit to Kota on time.

Responding to BJP leaders who questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence during paper leak incidents under the Congress government, Dotasra said the comparison was misplaced.

“When paper leaks occurred during our tenure, we acted. We brought in a strict law with provisions for life imprisonment. Former Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara was jailed during our government’s tenure. The BJP deserves no credit for that,” he told reporters in Kota.

He accused BJP leaders of deflecting responsibility by repeatedly referring to incidents that took place under previous governments.

“If a crime or rape happened during a previous government, does that mean the present government will do the same? Is that any kind of answer?” he asked.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Kota on June 17 to interact with students and youth on issues, including the NEET paper leak controversy, unemployment and examination-related stress.

The Congress workers have been making extensive preparations for the programme.

Dotasra also accused local authorities of removing Rahul Gandhi’s posters and banners ahead of his visit to Kota.

Targeting the Centre over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) controversy, Dotasra demanded accountability from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“The National Testing Agency was created by the BJP government. The NEET paper has been leaking for three years. Why hasn’t Dharmendra Pradhan resigned? Why is the Union government not ordering a judicial inquiry or a Parliamentary committee investigation?” he asked.

He alleged that Dharmendra Pradhan had failed to reassure students and youth despite repeated controversies surrounding national-level examinations.

He said Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students was aimed at understanding their concerns and raising them in Parliament.

“Rahul Gandhi will listen to students and youth and take their issues to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Finding permanent solutions to these problems is the objective. Raising the voice of the people is the responsibility of the Opposition,” he added.

The Congress leader also reminded the BJP of its election campaign promises.

“During the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly said Rajasthan had been ruined by the paper leak mafia. The BJP came to power on that issue. Now it is their responsibility to ensure such incidents do not happen,” Dotasra said.

Claiming that hundreds of accused were arrested during the Congress government’s crackdown on recruitment exam leaks, the State Congress President added, “When paper leak cases surfaced during our tenure, RPSC members and 272 accused were sent to jail. Instead of answering questions, BJP leaders keep talking about Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.”

Dotasra also alleged that local authorities were removing Rahul Gandhi’s banners and posters ahead of the visit.

He revealed that while Rahul Gandhi is expected to travel to Kota by train, a charter aircraft has been kept ready as an alternative if some plan is concocted to delay his train.

“If the train gets delayed, the programme schedule could be affected. Therefore, a Plan B has been arranged. Whether Rahul Gandhi arrives by train or charter, the programme will take place as scheduled,” he said.

Taking a swipe at senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore, who has been attacking the Congress over the event, Dotasra asked why the BJP had chosen him as its principal spokesperson on the issue.

“Why is Rajendra Rathore holding the press conference? The BJP should let its State BJP President respond. Rathore has already lost everything politically, yet he is being pushed forward to defend the party,” the State Congress President remarked.

The war of words between the Congress and BJP has intensified ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s high-profile Kota visit, with both parties seeking to frame the debate around paper leaks, student welfare and accountability ahead of the NEET examination set to be held on June 21.

–IANS

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