With the image of his government dented by sleaze and corruption allegations, Gehlot today secured the resignation of all his ministers and is all set to carry out a reshuffle of his ministry.
With the image of his government dented by sleaze and corruption allegations, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today secured the resignation of all his ministers and is all set to carry out a reshuffle of his ministry in which 4-5 ministers may be sacked or their portfolios changed.
The Ministers in the Gehlot government gave their collective resignation to the Chief Minister at a Cabinet meeting chaired by him.
The cabinet's emergency meeting was called by Gehlot to discuss the political situation in view of criticism over the alleged involvement of some Congress ministers in the disappearance of 36-year-old nurse Bhanwari Devi, leading to the sacking of minister Mahipal Maderna, a key suspect in the case, and his suspension from Congress.
Sources said here tonight that the reshuffle could take place any time.
Speculation is rife over the fate of Ramlal Jat who resigned as Minister of State for Environment and Forest in the wake of allegation over his involvement with a woman and of Barosilal against whom two FIRs have been lodged on allegations of illegal mining.
Two other ministers Babulal Nagar and Bhanwar Meghawal face corruption charges. There was also uncertainty about Shanti Dhariwal, the Home Minister, who has come under attack over the killing of ten people in police firing during the riots in Gopalgarh.
"All the ministers took collective decision to submit resignation to show faith and express confidence in the leadership of Ashok Gehlot so that he can strongly can say before the party high command in New Delhi that his team is with him," Dhariwal told reporters after the meeting.
He said there was no crisis on the government and Gehlot did not ask the cabinet to resign, but the decision taken by all the cabinet and state ministers was a collective one.
"For a long time, there was an atmosphere of uncertainty in politics in the state and there were some directions from the party high command also. So, we found mass resignation an appropriate step to strengthen Gehlot," Dhariwal said.
"Now cabinet reshuffle will take place as per the direction of the high command," he said.
Asked what was the need for a mass resignation for a cabinet reshuffle, he said the ministers wanted to strengthen Gehlot's hands and express leadership in their leader (Gehlot) so this course of action was decided.
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