After Ashok Gehlot says ‘speech removed’ from Modi event, PMO replies: ‘your presence will be deeply valued’

The CM also pointed out that the inauguration and foundation laying of 12 medical colleges to be done by the PM “is the result of the partnership between the government of Rajasthan and the Centre. The project cost of these medical colleges is Rs 3,689 crore, of which Rs 2,213 crore is the share of the Centre and Rs 1,476 crore of the state government. I also congratulate everyone on behalf of the state government.”

Gehlot then listed the five demands he would have made before the PM in his address with the “hope that during your 7th visit in 6 months, you will complete these.”

माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी,
आपके कार्यालय ने मेरे ट्वीट पर संज्ञान लिया परन्तु संभवत: उन्हें भी तथ्यों से अवगत नहीं करवाया गया है।

भारत सरकार के स्वास्थ्य मंत्रालय से भेजे गए प्रस्तावित मिनट टू मिनट कार्यक्रम में मेरा संबोधन रखा गया था। कल रात को मुझे पुन: अवगत करवाया गया कि मेरा… pic.twitter.com/0Jp1tkmb2d

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 27, 2023

The official Twitter handle of Prime Minister of India responded to Gehlot’s claims saying it was Gehlot’s office which had said that he won’t be able to join, but added that the Rajasthan CM is “most welcome” to join the programme.

The PMO wrote, “In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join,” adding that during the PM’s “previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence.”

As for CM Gehlot pointing out the state’s share in medical colleges, it said, “You are most welcome to join today’s programme. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well.”

The PM’s office indicated that the CM’s office had turned down the invite owing to his injured toes. “Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued,” the PMO said.

Gehlot then shared a couple of letters and two minute to minute programmes of the PM’s government event – with the first one mentioning “Speech of CM Rajasthan” but the second one having no mention of it – to back his claims.

श्री @ashokgehlot51 जी,

प्रोटोकॉल के अनुसार आपको विधिवत आमंत्रित किया गया था और आपका भाषण भी रखा गया था। लेकिन आपके ऑफिस ने बताया कि आप शामिल नहीं हो पाएंगे।

प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi की पिछली यात्राओं के दौरान भी आपको हमेशा आमंत्रित किया गया है और आपकी गरिमामयी उपस्थिति भी… pic.twitter.com/6MxBLmwcWq

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 27, 2023

“Your office has taken cognisance of my tweet but probably they too have not been made aware of the facts. My address was kept in the proposed minute to minute program sent from the Ministry of Health, Government of India. Last night I was again informed that I would not be addressing.” Citing the letter, he said that his office had indeed informed the Union Government that, owing to the injury in his feet and as per the opinion of his doctors, he would attend the programme through video conferencing while his ministers would reach the venue.

Gehlot then eventually joined the PM’s government programme through the video conference “in the interest of Rajasthan.”

On his part, the PM ended his address by saying, “Rajasthan CM Shri Ashok Gehlot ji has been ailing for some-time, there is some pain in his feet. He was supposed to join this programme but could not because of that difficulty. I pray for his good health.”

The Rajasthan Congress and the BJP traded charges over the developments, with Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra saying that the removal of CM’s address “is an attack on the federal structure of the country.”

Meanwhile, Gehlot listed his five demands on Twitter as he could not make it to the event. “On the demand of the youth of Rajasthan, especially from Shekhawati, the permanent recruitment in the army should be continued as before by withdrawing the Agniveer scheme.”

Second, “The state government has waived loans worth Rs 15,000 crore of 21 lakh farmers from all the co-operative banks under it. We have sent a one-time settlement proposal to the central government to waive off the loans of nationalised banks, in which we will give the farmers’ share.”

Third, “The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution for caste census. The Central Government should take a decision on this without any delay.”

Fourth, “Due to the guidelines of the National Medical Commission (NMC), the medical colleges being opened in three of our districts are not getting any financial assistance from the central government. These are being built entirely with state funding. The central government should also give 60 per cent funding to the medical colleges in these three tribal-dominated districts.”

Last, he repeated the demand for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), saying that it “should be given the status of a project of national importance.”