BJP demands removal of Ashok Chandna from his post

JAIPUR: At a time when Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that “law is equal for all” on the FIR lodged against sports and employment minister Ashok Chandna for allegedly slapping and abusing an official, state BJP on Sunday demanded that the minister should be removed from his post immediately.

Ashok Chandna was booked for allegedly slapping and abusing Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) executive engineer posted at Nainwa circle of Bundi district . The FIR against the minister was registered at Nainwa police station which falls in his constituency on Friday night.

“Law is equal for everybody, whoever the person is. This is our complaint against the BJP that law must be equal for all. The rule of law is paramount, else nobody will be safe. We will also not be safe. To establish rule of law is a government’s duty. That’s why we discharged our duty and lodged an FIR,” said Gehlot during a press briefing on Sunday. He also said, “Law will take its course. If anybody commits a mistake, he will face the consequences.”

Meanwhile, the BJP demanded that Chandna should be removed from his post. “To threaten, abuse or to slap anyone is wrong. You can direct or issue orders to the officials to get the work done. But you can’t raise your hand,” said Vimal Katiyar, president, media cell, Rajasthan BJP. “We demand that the chief minister should remove him from his post immediately for his actions. Apart from that, law would take its course,” he added.

BJP state president Madan Lal Saini said that there should be an investigation on the matter and added that manhandling was the solution to any issue. “I can say that his behaviour is not good. One must conduct in a decent manner with the officers. The matter is very serious in nature. If a minister slaps an official, this is not a good sign for political workers. There should be cordiality between ministers and officials. Whatever is established after the probe, court must take a decision on it,” said Saini.

He also added that in politics, limit should not be crossed. “As public representatives, we have a lot of responsibility. There is way of conducting oneself. Manhandling is not the solution,” he said.

In his reaction to TOI on Saturday, Chandna had said, “Now that FIR has been lodged, everything will be clear in the probe. Whatever is proved in the court will be acceptable to me.” He added, “My statement (to press) wouldn't make any difference. It would not be valid. Only the court's order will be acceptable and valid now.”

In his earlier statements to media, the minister had rebutted the allegations and counter-accused the JVVNL officer of being corrupt and dereliction of duty.