Modi in Rajasthan: 'My speech removed,' says Ashok Gehlot; PMO responds
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has claimed his three-minute speech was removed at a government programme to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, media reports said.
In a tweet, Gehlot claimed his "pre-scheduled" speech was removed so he could only welcome the Prime Minister on the micro-blogging site.
Gehlot tweeted, "Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Today you are visiting Rajasthan. Your office PMO has removed my pre-scheduled 3-minute address from the program, so I will not be able to welcome you through speech, so I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet."
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी,
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 27, 2023
आज आप राजस्थान पधार रहे हैं। आपके कार्यालय PMO ने मेरा पूर्व निर्धारित 3 मिनट का संबोधन कार्यक्रम से हटा दिया है इसलिए मैं आपका भाषण के माध्यम से स्वागत नहीं कर सकूंगा अतः मैं इस ट्वीट के माध्यम से आपका राजस्थान में तहेदिल से स्वागत करता…
Rebutting the claim, the Prime Minister's Office has said it was Gehlot's office that had said the Chief Minister won't be able to give the speech.
The PMO's tweet reads, "Shri @ashokgehlot51 Ji, 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. During PM @narendramodi’s previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence.
"You are most welcome to join today’s programme. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued."
Shri @ashokgehlot51 Ji,
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 27, 2023
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.
During PM @narendramodi’s previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those… https://t.co/BHQkHCHJzQ
Modi is on his seventh visit in a year to poll-bound Rajasthan, which is ruled by Congress.
Ahead of the 2024 General Elections and especially in the backdrop of the Karnataka defeat, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing to wrest power in the state, which votes every alternate government in five years going by the recent past.