Rajasthan Polls: Minister Shanti Dhariwal Talks About Controversial Riverfront Project, Next CM
Rajasthan cabinet minister Shanti Dhariwal has dropped hints regarding the potential successor to the chief minister's post in Rajasthan. Dhariwal, a three-time MLA from Kota (North) and a former Lok Sabha MP from Kota in 1984, is widely recognised as an Ashok Gehlot loyalist. Currently contesting from the Kota (North) seat, he played a crucial role alongside Mahesh Joshi in September 2022 in organising a separate meeting at his residence when the senior leadership was discussing the possibility of a change in power in Rajasthan.
Addressing the question of whether the Congress has a chief ministerial face in Rajasthan, Dhariwal said, "We do. Can't you see how the chief minister has worked in the past five years? Don't you see his schemes?" This statement comes as a strong endorsement of the incumbent chief minister Ashok Gehlot, under whose government Dhariwal serves as the urban development and housing minister.
However, later, Dhariwal added that the party's senior leadership will decide who the next chief minister will be and that he will abide by the senior leadership's decision.
Dhariwal's constituency, Kota (North), known as a second home for thousands of students preparing for NEET-JEE exams, has unfortunately witnessed a surge in suicides this year. On this matter, Dhariwal chose not to delve into specifics and simply called it an "old matter" that he did not wish to address.
One of Dhariwal's flagship projects – the Rs 14,000 crore Chambal riverfront development – ran into controversy this year. The opposition has alleged that the riverfront construction has adversely affected wildlife. Former MLA Prahlad Gunjal from Kota (North) contended that the area, where the riverfront is located, is a crocodile sanctuary with a designated eco-sensitive zone extending up to 10 kilometres. The matter is set to be investigated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and Dhariwal asserted his openness to scrutiny, emphasising that all necessary steps were taken before initiating the project.
In response to questions about the delay in finalising his ticket and rumours of corruption, Dhariwal clarified that during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, many people complained against him to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. This prompted an investigation by a team set up by the chief minister and Dhariwal was subsequently cleared of any corruption allegations and granted the party ticket.
Dhariwal's name has become a catchphrase in the state's political discourse in the run-up to the assembly elections because of a controversial statement he made in the Vidhan Sabha where he said, "Rajasthan mardon ka pradesh hai (It's a man's land)." In his defence, he said, "Yes, I did say that, but why is the opposition only questioning that part? Why are they not showing the complete video where I also criticised this serious issue?"
As Rajasthan gears up for elections on November 25, these developments set the stage for a dynamic political landscape in the state.
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
