Rajasthan CM accuses PMO of removing his scheduled speech at Modi’s event

Jaipur, New Delhi: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had struck off his scheduled speech at PM Modi’s programme in Sikar in Rajasthan on Thursday.

PM Modi will arrive in the state to take part in a scheduled programme, among others, to release the 14th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, where Gehlot was to make a “pre-scheduled 3-minute address”.

PMO replied that chief minister Gehlot’s speech was ‘also slotted’ in the programme but his office maintained that the chief minister would not be able to show up.

Gehlot, however, explained that he had informed the centre about his leg injury and assured of participating the event via videoconferencing.

‘My address was kept in the proposed minute to minute programme sent from the Ministry of Health, Government of India. Last night, I was again informed that I would not be addressing’, Gehlot was quoted as saying.

Gehlot tweeted that he would still be participating the programme in a ‘ non-interactive mode via videoconferencing’ being a project that would benefit the state.

The PMO previously responded to Gehlot: ‘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’.

The communique welcomed Gehlot to join the programme adding that his name was on the plaque of the development work as well.

Gehlot began the row with a tweet earlier inviting PM Modi to Rajsthan through a tweet claiming that he was excluded from the scheduled speech, hence he would not able to welcome the prime minister virtually.

Gehlot further tweeted that the programme will see laying foundation for 12 medical colleges to build in the partnership between the Centre and state.