Describing himself as the “first servant” of the people of Jodhpur, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said he would earn money by performing magic tricks if needed, but would not let the people of the Rajasthan district down. The 72-year-old Congress leader was born in Jodhpur in a family of professional magicians. He said this while addressing the people during the inauguration of the newly constructed road ‘Rao Jodha Marg’ for the convenience of tourists coming to the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort.
Citing his role in the development of Jodhpur, Gehlot said that he had become an MP for the first time 42 years ago. He said, “What was Jodhpur then? No water, no train. But today it has water, electricity, train, road, education and health infrastructure. I have left nothing to be desired in all these years.” He said that if one does research on Jodhpur, he will know about its development and see what Jodhpur was and what it has become now.
He also wished the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to grant heritage status to the Blue City. On a brief visit to his hometown, Gehlot inaugurated 16 development works worth Rs. 91 crore and laid the foundation stone of 44 projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in his run-up to the assembly elections. He also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for stalling the plans of the Congress government in the state, citing the examples of Rao Jodha Marg and a refinery project.
“This road project was announced during the previous Congress government, but the BJP did not continue it, which delayed the project. Similarly, the BJP’s apathy towards the refinery project not only delayed the project but also increased the cost of the project. 39,000 crore to Rs 72,000 crore”, Gehlot said.
He said that this is a wrong practice and the present government should continue and complete the projects of one government. Taking a dig at Gehlot’s magician statement, state BJP chief CP Joshi said the chief minister had only performed magic tricks during his tenure.
“You are a fraudster who is playing tricks by taking credit for projects initiated by the Centre,” he said, adding that Congress leaders contribute some funds to central government schemes and then change their names. Joshi asked if the withdrawal of cash and gold from the cupboards of government offices is not magic, then what else is.