Key Takeaways
- The SEC has demanded factual reports after allegations of misuse of official vehicles.
- Ashok Gehlot is accused of breaching the poll code by traveling for political purposes.
- Opposition leader Rajendra Rathore highlighted that only one non‑gazetted assistant is permitted during political trips.
The Rajasthan State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Praveen Gupta, has now asked for reports with ‘factual comments’ from the principal secretaries of personnel and general administration departments, over the allegations levelled by Rajendra Rathore, the Leader of Opposition, against Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, and Principal Secretary, Kuldeep Ranka, of violating the model code of conduct (MCC).
Taking to X, Rajendra Rathore had alleged that the Rajasthan Chief Minister had gone to meet Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in the national capital, accompanied by Kuldeep Ranka, in his official vehicle, on the second day of the poll code coming into force.
Following the allegations being levelled, the SEC has asked for factual reports from the principal secretaries of the concerned departments, dealing with ‘cadre control’ and ‘use of official vehicles’. A factual report has also been sought by the General Administration Department from the Chief Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, in relation to the use of resources.
Accusing Gehlot of flouting the MCC, Rathore had stated, ‘According to the guidelines of the ECI, after the implementation of the election code of conduct, the chief minister can have only one non-gazetted personal assistant during political trips. But even after the implementation of the MCC, the chief minister is misusing government machinery during political trips.’
Rathore asked, ‘What is the emergency and public welfare work because of which the chief minister is engaging in political tourism with his principal secretary?’
