Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot says speech slot dropped from PM Narendra Modi's event, PMO refutes

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday claimed that the Prime Minister's Office cancelled his address at an event in Rajasthan's Sikar where Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects but the PMO rejected the charges saying his office informed that he will not attend the programme.

Gehlot took to Twitter to make the claim while the PMO too responded to it on the social media platform hours ahead of Modi's programme at which he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects.

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"Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today you will be visiting Rajasthan. Your office, PMO, has removed my pre-scheduled three-minute address from the programme, so I will not be able to welcome you through the speech. I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet," he said.

He also said, "I would have put forward through my speech at the programme" while expressing hope that the Prime Minister would fulfil them during his "seventh visit (to Rajasthan) in six months". Gehlot also demanded the withdrawal of the Agniveer scheme for recruitment in the military.

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माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी,
आज आप राजस्थान पधार रहे हैं। आपके कार्यालय PMO ने मेरा पूर्व निर्धारित 3 मिनट का संबोधन कार्यक्रम से हटा दिया है इसलिए मैं आपका भाषण के माध्यम से स्वागत नहीं कर सकूंगा अतः मैं इस ट्वीट के माध्यम से आपका राजस्थान में तहेदिल से स्वागत करता…

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 27, 2023

In his tweet, he also demanded that the Centre should take a decision on conducting Caste Census. He said the Rajasthan Assembly has passed a resolution for conducting a caste census and sent it to the central government. Gehlot also demanded national project status for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).

Shri @ashokgehlot51 Ji,

In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join.

During PM @narendramodi’s previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those… https://t.co/BHQkHCHJzQ

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 27, 2023

Responding to Gehlot's tweet, the PMO said the Chief Minister has always been invited to the Prime Minister's programmes in the state and his presence at the Sikar event will be "deeply valued".

"Ashok Gehlot-ji, in accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join. You are most welcome to join today's programme. "During PM Modi's previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued," the PMO said.

Gehlot did not attend the event but later said that he watched it virtually.

In Jaipur, Gehlot told reporters, "the minute by minute programme had come and I was to speak in it. Suddenly last night, I was told that my speech was not there."