N-words again: Now, Gehlot calls Gajendra Shekhawat 'nikamma, nikara'
Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday called Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat "good for nothing" -- using the derogatory words "nikamma" and "nikara" that he once used for fellow Congress leader Sachin Pilot.
The chief minister was lashing out at the BJP-led government at the Centre for not declaring the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) a "national project". Referring to the 25 Bharatiya Janata Party MPs from Rajasthan, he claimed they are not doing anything for the state.
"The minister is from here, he is such a nakara' (useless), nikamma' (good-for-nothing) minister. He is our minister, our MP from Jodhpur," Gehlot said in Hindi, in a clear reference to the Jal Shakti minister. However, the CM didn't take his name.
"Can't he get a project declared a national project? He makes excuses and confuses people," Gehlot continued, speaking at the launch of projects worth Rs 1,410 crore in Jaipur.
"What are the 25 MPs doing? Ask these MPs. The public trusted you and made you an MP," he said.
Previously, Gehlot has used the same N-words to describe former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot after he mounted a rebellion in 2020 against his leadership.
The two have papered over their differences ahead of the assembly polls due this year-end.
The CM has a running feud with Shekhawat, whom he accused of being involved in the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam. The Union minister then took him to court.
Gehlot said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself promised he will look into the "national project" demand for the ERCP from a "positive perspective".
He said it is sad that despite the prime minister's "promise" the ERCP was not given the status while "16 national projects" are running in the country.
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Kharge has put 'full stop' to leadership speculation in Karnataka: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue of leadership change in the state.
Kharge's statement has a lot of significance and there ends the matter for now. Everyone in the party should respect and accept this, he said.
Parameshwara was referring to Kharge's statement on Thursday that there was no chief minister change in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.
Kharge's statement came amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is our party's national president. He has a lot of experience. Several people, including me, have said that in the case of change (in leadership), if he (Kharge) comes (as CM), no one could speak in front of his experience and everyone would accept it. While replying to it, Kharge said that there is a chief minister now, and there is no question of change as of now," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I welcome his (Kharge) statement because I feel he has expressed his opinion after a discussion involving him, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (both AICC general secretaries). I may be right or wrong. I feel that his statement has a lot of significance. So that matter ends there for now."
Responding to a question on repeated statements by several party leaders regarding leadership change, the home minister said, what the AICC chief has said on the matter is final. It should be respected and accepted by all in the party. There is no meaning in interpreting it further.
"I cannot respond to what others say, but I can say my opinion. In my opinion, the AICC chief is the supreme authority in the party. He, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are our high command. If the high command has said something, we should both respect and accept it. There ends the matter," he said.
Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue, he further said, adding that, "When he has said there is no change. It is a full stop."
Responding to a question on Parameshwara's recent statement about Kharge becoming chief minister, the AICC chief on Thursday said, "You (media), he (Parameshwara), and people at the top say that it is better if I become CM. But more than fate, as per my ideology and my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi makes decisions regarding me."
He had further said, "But that question does not arise now. There is already a CM here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and I together have to take any decision in that direction, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."
Kharge on Friday too said no date has been fixed yet to discuss a possible leadership change in Karnataka.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in line with a reported power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections. Some have even claimed that "sweet news" is expected by May 15, which is Shivakumar's birthday.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by a reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
