"Please Spare Us Now": Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Frustrated Over VP Jagdeep Dhankhar's Frequent Visits Ahead Of Polls

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday (27 September) raised objections to the frequent visits of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to the state in the lead-up to the year-end Assembly elections, stating that "people understand why the Vice-President is coming here again and again" and that they "will give a befitting reply."

Gehlot expressed his concern, saying, "The Vice-President is going up and down. He will go to five places today on a helicopter. Be it Vice-President or governor, we respect everybody. The Vice-President says Rajasthan is my native place, no need to receive me in keeping with protocol. We will respect the Vice-President even when he becomes the President. But please spare us now."

Emphasizing that the Vice-President's role is constitutional and should not be associated with any party or government, Gehlot questioned the frequent visits, stating, "What's the rationale? None. What will people think about you if you tour the state so frequently during elections? What is your intention?"

Gehlot, visibly frustrated, mentioned that he has always shown respect to individuals holding constitutional posts, citing how he welcomed veteran BJP leader Bhairon Singh Shekhawat when he became Vice-President during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure.

"When Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was the Vice President, I warmly welcomed him at the Chief Minister's residence. However, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankad keeps returning to Rajasthan," Gehlot further said.

The frequency and content of Dhankhar's visits might be linked to BJP's attempt to attract Jat voters. Dhankhar mentioned the women's reservation bill, the state of India's institutions and Chandrayaan-3 in his speeches.