Will never topple Gehlot govt, defeat Cong in polls: Shah

Jaipur: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday dismissed accusations that the BJP tried to topple the Congress government in Rajasthan and dared the ruling party to call early polls if it thinks people support it. The BJP leader said his party will never try to destabilise the state government while exuding confidence that it will come to power with a twothird majority in the state in the 2023 Assembly polls. Mr Shah also called upon party leaders to “overthrow” the “useless and corrupt” Congress government in the state. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot had earlier accused the BJP of the bid to destabilise the state government after his former deputy Sachin Pilot rebelled against him in July last year. “They are always in fear that their government will collapse. Who is going to topple the government? No one?but why are you doing this; that your own people are running away,” Shah said at a meeting with party leaders here. “The BJP will never topple your government. The BJP will present its side before people and come to power with a strong mandate in 2023,” Shah added. “If you think that your government is doing well, then get the Assembly elections conducted along with the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, you will get to know what the public wants. We want that you complete your tenure till 2023 and work for people,” Mr Shah said. Addressing party leaders, he said, “I have come to call upon you that in Rajasthan, the useless and corrupt Ashok Gehlot government has to be overthrown and the BJP government has to be formed.” The home minister targeted the state government over several issues, including law and order, corruption and unemployment. He alleged that the state government has stopped several public welfare schemes introduced by the previous BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje and creating hurdles in the implementation of central schemes.