Jodhpur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot Sunday denied accusing state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra of corruption and accused BJP of trying to mislead the public through a false narrative and distorting his remarks. Addressing the media at the Circuit House in Jodhpur, Gehlot accused the saffron party of trying to pit Congress leaders against each other.Explaining the context of his remarks, Gehlot said that during a teachers’ conference at Birla Auditorium, he had merely posed a general question to the gathering about whether corruption existed in transfer processes.“I asked whether there was corruption in transfers. Everyone knows that irrespective of which party is in power, allegations of corruption in transfers and postings surface under every education minister. The teachers present responded in the affirmative,” he said.Responding to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s recent “not magic, but manipulation” remark, Gehlot hit back, alleging that it was the present BJP govt that was misleading the people. “Manipulation is being carried out by the current govt. People are being continuously misled. Magic is an ancient and globally renowned Indian art form, and every Indian should take pride in it,” he said.Gehlot also said that being referred to as a “magician” was not an insult but a reflection of the affection and respect he enjoys among the people of Rajasthan.Talking about ticket distribution, the former CM said that it is for the Congress high command to decide based on regular surveys.
