'Why is he being a coward?': Gehlot on Shekhawat approaching court over Sanjivani 'scam'

Rajasthan CM Gehlot calls Union Minister Shekhawat a "coward" for moving court against his arrest in the alleged Sanjivani scam. He also slams Mr. Shekhawat for failing to declare ERCP as a national project

Calling Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat a “coward”, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday (October 23) said if he claims to be innocent in the alleged Sanjivani scam, why has he moved court against his arrest, and asked that the police be barred from filing a chargesheet in the case.

Speaking to the media in Jodhpur ahead of launching a campaign in the Minister’s Lok Sabha constituency, Mr. Gehlot also slammed Mr. Shekhawat, who is the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, for failing to declare the East Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as a national project.

“If he is not an accused, why is he going to court for bail? Now you are praying for stopping the SOG (Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group) from filing the chargesheet. You believe you are not accused, you have not made any mistake. Why is the Union Minister being a coward?,” Mr. Gehlot said.

Mr. Shekhawat has filed a defamation case against Mr. Gehlot for accusing him and his family of being involved in the alleged Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society "scam". The Rajasthan High Court has also granted a stay on his arrest.

Thousands of investors have been allegedly duped of crores in the alleged Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam.

The Chief Minister accused Mr. Shekhawat of not doing enough for the State even though he holds such an important portfolio.

“He could not even get the ERCP declared as a national project,” Mr. Gehlot said, terming it to be an important project for eastern Rajasthan.