Hocus-focus: Rameshwar Dudi video jolts house

There was pandemonium in the state assembly over an alleged video of leader of the opposition Rameshwar Dudi where he can be seen talking about investing Rs 3 crore on betting in the recently held bypolls.

The matter was raised by parliamentary affairs minister Rajendra Rathore. Instead of directly accusing Dudi, Rathore said there may a conspiracy hatched against Dudi and the LOP should clarify the issue in the house.

It was a strategic blow to Dudi by the two Rathores of the BJP. Rajendra Rathore took a roundabout path in accusing Dudi. But Madan Rathore launched a frontal attack by accused Dudi of beingin the video and admitting that he is involved in betting. Madan waved his mobile in the air and said he had the video and could confirm that it was Dudi, who was seen speaking in the video. Madan claimed that the video had been given to him by a person close to the LoP.

Rajendra went on urging Dudi to make a statement. “Supposing the ED questions Dudi tomorrow, he will blame the government. He should come clear,” said Rajendra.

Hanuman Beniwal was the first to spring to Dudi’s defence followed by Dheeraj Gurjar, Govind Singh Dotasra and Shakuntala Ravat.The speaker had to adjourn the house twice due to the pandemonium.        

Dudi kept sitting when the attack was launched against him. But when the assembly resumed after an adjournment, he got up and denied that he had anything to do with betting. 

When the house re-assembled after adjournment, Rajendra said he wanted to raise a point of order. Madan said he wanted the video to be placed on record of the assembly. Home minister Gulab Chand Kataria dared Dudi to get the video probed.

Speaking to the media, Dudi said, “I am a villager, a farmer and have nothing to do with betting. I don’t know how it is done. I have no money to invest in betting. I have nothing to do with it.”

On the other hand, Rajendra said it is a conspiracy by the Congress. “Since the time Dudi is a chief ministerial claimant, there is a conspiracy against him. This video is a part of that conspiracy.”

Incidentally Dudi belongs to Bikaner, which is among the famous betting centres in Rajasthan.     

The controversy related to Dudi’s viral video seems to have taken the wind out of the Congress’s sails. The miniscule opposition that was till yesterday successful in taking on the government with brute majority today seemed to be on a defensive mode.

Dalit card

Rathore also accused him of discrimination against Dalits. “A separate line was organised for serving food for Dalits in one of his programmes held at Bikaner’s Nokha,” he alleged. Dudi denied the allegation.