'Red Diary threatens Congress' electoral prospects': PM Modi’s scathing remark against Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthan's Sikar claimed that the secrets in the "red diary" will ruin the Congress in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Sikar (Rajasthan): In the midst of mounting suspense surrounding the infamous "red diary" within Rajasthan's political circles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted Thursday that the concealed revelations within the diary are poised to devastate the ruling Congress party in the upcoming Assembly elections. He said that the 'red diary' will defeat Congress in elections in the state.

PM Modi claimed that the "red diary", produced by Rajendra Gudha in the state assembly, contained the details of the alleged irregular financial transactions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. He said that the "red diary" is a fresh project of the Congress' "jhooth ki dukan". It is said that the "dark deeds" of the Congress are recorded in the diary, which will defeat the party in elections in the state.

PM Modi also targeted the Gehlot government over various recruitment paper leaks in the state. A paper leak industry is running in Rajasthan. The Congress government will have to be removed to fulfil the dreams of youths, he said. There is only one slogan this time -- 'Nahi Sahega Rajasthan'. Rajasthan will not tolerate atrocities on sisters and daughters.

The Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created arrangements from seed to market for them, PM Modi said while dedicating 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation. He also described the Kendras as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity.

India, he said, could only develop when its villages do and his government was working to provide in villages every facility that is available in cities. "Our government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea," Modi said. Farmers in India, he elaborated, get a sack of urea for Rs 266. This is available in Pakistan for about Rs 800, for Rs 720 in Bangladesh and Rs 2,100 in China.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was supposed to attend the programme but could not due to problems in his feet, he said. "He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health," the prime minister said about the Congress leader. Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), however, said it was informed by Gehlot's office that he will not be able to attend the programme. It also said he was "most welcome" to join the programme.

Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects in Sikar on Thursday, according to an official statement. The prime minister said at the rally that creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan is a government's priority. (with agency inputs)