Rumour mills abuzz as Rajasthan ministers skip govt function

Post-Lok Sabha election drubbing the chasm between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot is said to be growing.

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In Short

  • Post-Lok Sabha election drubbing the chasm between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot is said to be growing
  • Many ministers gave a programme inaugurating a portal for MSMEs at the secretariat a miss on Wednesday
  • Though Gehlot was not present at a Rajesh Pilot memorial function on Tuesday, many lawmakers were

Rumour mills in Rajasthan were working overtime as several state ministers were conspicuous by their absence at a government function held at the secretariat in Jaipur.

On Wednesday Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated a web portal for medium, small and micro enterprises.

"Our decision will encourage youths to start their units and they will be able to set up their business with a free mind. They can get approvals anytime in three years. We want to give a suitable environment for business in the state," news agency PTI quoted Gehlot as saying.

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However, the move to encourage entrepreneurship in the state was overshadowed by the missing ministers.

Those who skipped the ceremony included mines minister Pramod Bhaya, food and civil supplies minister Ramesh Chand Meena, higher education minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati, labour minister Tikaram Jully, health minister Raghu Sharma and revenue minister Harish Chaudhary.

Those present included urban development minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal, industry minister Parsadi Lal, forest minister Sukhram Vishnoi.

Rumours of the chasm between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot widening has been gaining ground.

Earlier on Tuesday Gehlot gave a prayer meeting held in memory of Sachin Pilot's father and Congress stalwart Rajesh Pilot a miss. Those present included health minister Raghu Sharma, social justice minister Master Bhanwarlal Meghwal, co-operative minister Udaylal Anjana, transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, mines minister Pramod Bhaya, women and child development minister Mamta Bhupesh among others.

The presence (or absence) of ministers and MLAs at the meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday is being seen as a show of strength by the Gehlot and Pilot camps.