Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot responded strongly to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s recent comments on the Pachpadra refinery project, calling them misleading and factually incorrect. Gehlot accused the state government of trying to divert attention from delays in the project and a recent accident at the site, attributing the delays to the BJP’s past tenure and criticizing the rush to inaugurate the project, which he linked to the incident. He highlighted the lack of official clarification on the accident even two days after it occurred.
Gehlot refuted the Chief Minister’s claim that the Prime Minister had secured a 26% stake for the Rajasthan government in the refinery, stating that this assertion was entirely false and deceptive. He clarified that the state government’s 26% equity participation had been established since the project’s inception in 2013. The approval for the Pachpadra refinery, according to Gehlot, was contingent on the Rajasthan government holding a 26% stake, a departure from the usual practice where state governments do not invest in refinery projects due to their inherent risks.
The former CM criticized the BJP, suggesting that their statements revealed a lack of understanding of refinery operations and structures. He questioned the BJP’s inaction on corruption allegations related to the project despite being in power for an extended period both at the Centre and in the state. Gehlot emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in light of the recent incident at the refinery site, urging against distorting facts for political gain.
