A group of dissident MLAs from the ruling Congress are using the Robert Vadra issue to mount pressure on Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot. The group, led by parliamentary secretary Rajendra Bidhuri, lashed out at PWD minister Bharat Singh, saying Mr Singh had violated the party rules.
Mr Bidhuri, along with nine MLAs, sent a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi complaining against Mr Singh and sought action against him. Gujjar leader and parliamentary secretary Bidhuri was engaged in a war of words last week in Jaipur during the Congress legislative meeting. Mr Bidhuri said he was making a suggestion that the party should counter the charges made by the BJP against Mr Vadra. He said Mr Singh opposed his stance.
According to Mr Bidhuri, the PWD minister allegedly said it was a personal matter and the party should stay away from this. Mr Singh refused to comment on what Mr Bidhuri said. But the PWD minister termed Mr Bidhuri an outsider. Mr Singh got support from minister of state for home Rajendra Gudha, who asked Mr Bidhuri to refrain from making charges against the Congress ministers.
Mr Gudha said Mr Bidhuri visited Jhunjhunu and openly criticised power minister Jitendra Singh. Mr Bidhuri had announced to resign from the post of parliamentary secretary last month over the Gujjar quota issue. He said it was Devnarayan Bhagwan (Gujjar deity) who appeared in his dreams and asked him to resign. Though he sent his resignation papers to Mr Gehlot, the CM refused to accept them.
Mr Bidhuri, who won from Begun constituency under Chittorgarh district, emerged as a leader when the Gujjars took to the streets during the BJP rule. Differences between Mr Singh and Mr Bidhuri intensified when Mr Singh was put in charge of Chittorgarh district.
A group of nine MLAs from the Congress also joined Mr Bidhuri while he mounted pressure on the chief minister.