'Petty politics': BJP leader slams ex-Raj CM Ashok Gehlot on Pachpadra Refinery inauguration

Jaipur, April 10 Responding to recent remarks by former Rajasthan Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha member Rajendra Gehlot said on Friday that making comments on the inauguration of the Pachpadra Refinery in Jaipur reflects "petty politics".

He noted that when Ashok Gehlot was the Rajasthan Chief Minister, neither a final site for the refinery was properly established nor was concrete planning or a clear budget framework put in place.

"The foundation stone was laid in haste merely for political mileage," he alleged.

BJP leader Rajendra Gehlot also claimed that it was in 2016, under the then BJP government, that the appropriate site was finalised and a structured financial plan was prepared.

He also alleged that during the period from 2018 to 2023, the project saw little progress under the previous Congress government.

"Instead of advancing the refinery work, the previous (Congress) government remained preoccupied with political concerns," he said.

Highlighting the current state government's efforts, Rajendra Gehlot said that after the BJP formed the government in Rajasthan in December 2023, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma prioritised the refinery project in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'.

He added that Chief Minister Sharma personally monitored progress through multiple site visits, ensuring completion within a short span.

He noted that the Pachpadra Refinery is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21.

According to the BJP Rajya Sabha member, the project will generate significant employment opportunities for youth, improve infrastructure in western Rajasthan, particularly in Barmer, and boost regional economic growth.

Rajendra Gehlot also highlighted that infrastructure initiatives such as Bharatmala and associated connectivity projects, including railway links, pipelines, and other logistics networks, are expected to further accelerate industrial development in the region.

Concluding his remarks, the BJP leader said that instead of criticising a project that marks a major milestone in Rajasthan's development, Ashok Gehlot should reflect on the performance of his own tenure. It needs to be mentioned here that Ashok Gehlot on Friday morning had accused the BJP government of delaying the project, which according to him, was initiated under Congress tenure.

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