Rajasthan CM Gehlot’s cabinet minister dismissal causes political uproar in poll-bound state.

JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s sacking of Rajasthan cabinet minister Rajendra Singh Gudha has sparked a major women’s safety debate.

Gudha was fired on Friday after questioning his government’s performance in reducing crimes against women, even as his peers condemned the Manipur violence.

Saturday’s news briefing in Jaipur by CM Gehlot did not explain the minister’s dismissal.

However, he firmly defended his government’s law and order record, especially with women’s offences. Gehlot called the comparison between Rajasthan and Manipur “unjustifiable.”

CM Gehlot said that Rajendra Gudha’s criticism and protests against the administration, which included law and order, were party matters and would be addressed following party deliberations.

The former minister had been making aggressive statements about CM Gehlot’s government for months. However, his latest assembly session remarks may have led to his expulsion from the government.

Six BSP MLAs joined Congress in 2020, including Rajendra Gudha. He relocated from Gehlot to Sachin Pilot in the last year.

Given his aggressive words in recent months, many believe he wants to depart Congress before the elections. Rajendra Gudha’s repeated statements had worried the Ashok Gehlot government.

Experts also believe Gudha may have caused this to distance himself from the Gehlot government.

Rajendra Gudha won two Bahujan Samaj Party elections out of three. Despite his victory, he joined the Congress alongside other BSP MLAs and occupied cabinet roles both times.