Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday issued a warning to the BJP for 2023 assembly polls after he successfully ensured that the saffron party-backed candidate Subhash Chandra was defeated in the Rajya Sabha polls. Gehlot stunned everyone by ensuring the defeat of the Zee News owner, who was hoping to get himself re-elected to the Upper House of parliament.
Chandra’s defeat meant that all three candidates namely of the Congress namely Randeep Singh Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari were elected to Rajya Sabha.
Reacting to his party’s success and Chandra’s defeat, Gehlot wrote on Twitter, “Congress’ victory in three Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan is a victory for democracy. I congratulate all the three newly elected MPs Shri Pramod Tiwari, Shri Mukul Wasnik and Shri Randeep Surjewala. I am sure that all the three MPs will be able to strongly advocate the rights of Rajasthan in Delhi.”
Gehlot, who had made the Rajya Sabha polls an issue of his personal prestige, used the opportunity to issue a warning to the BJP.
The Rajasthan CM wrote, “It was clear from the beginning that the Congress had the required majority for all three seats. But BJP tried horse trading by fielding an independent. The solidarity of our MLAs has given a befitting reply to this effort. The BJP will face a similar defeat in the 2023 assembly elections as well.”
राजस्थान में तीन राज्यसभा सीटों पर कांग्रेस की विजय लोकतंत्र की जीत है। मैं तीनों नवनिर्वाचित सांसदों श्री प्रमोद तिवारी, श्री मुकुल वासनिक एवं श्री रणदीप सुरजेवाला को बधाई देता हूं। मुझे पूर्ण विश्वास है कि तीनों सांसद दिल्ली में राजस्थान के हक की मजबूती से पैरवी कर सकेंगे।
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 10, 2022
Analysts believe that Gehlot has stamped his authority in Rajasthan politics by successfully ensuring the victory of all three Congress candidates since defeating a powerful media baron, who was being back by the BJP, is no mean achievement.