Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday alleged that the recent controversies surrounding the “red diary” and the “Mahadev betting app” were motivated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as part of a “conspiracy” to secure victories in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

In a press conference held at the Congress office, Gehlot called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging that it should be done by a retired judge of the Supreme Court.

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Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on late Congress leader Rajesh Pilot, Gehlot accused the BJP of attempting to “provoke” the Gurjar community in the state.

PM Modi on Wednesday had accused the Congress of mistreating Sachin Pilot after meting out the same treatment to his father, Rajesh Pilot.

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Responding to this, Sachin Pilot asserted that concerns about him should be solely within the reach of the party and the people.

Gehlot claimed that during the BJP rule, 72 Gurjars were killed in police firings amid their agitation for reservation, whereas under his leadership, there were no lathi charges despite agitations, and a five percent reservation was granted.

Critiquing the BJP’s tactics, Gehlot condemned the party’s use of full-page newspaper advertisements compiling news clippings on crime incidents in Rajasthan. He asserted that such tactics aim to “mislead people and hatch conspiracies” to secure electoral wins.

The BJP has been targeting the Congress government in Rajasthan over the red diary matter, where a sacked Rajasthan minister, Rajendra Dudha, alleged financial irregularities done by the Gehlot government.

On November 5, the Centre blocked 22 illegal betting platforms, including the Mahadev app, based on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) investigations and subsequent raids in connection with the app in Chhattisgarh.

(With inputs from PTI)