Additional cameras inside Raj House spark political row

JAIPUR: The political war of words over the installation of additional cameras inside Rajasthan assembly intensified Sunday with state education minister Madan Dilawar accusing Congress state chief Govind Singh Dotasra of being the leader of a "characterless gang".

Dilawar's jibe came a day after Dotasra alleged that Speaker Vasudev Devnani was surveilling Congress' women legislators by installing extra cameras in the House. Adding fuel to the fire, Dilawar pointed his barbs at both Dotasra and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, claiming the latter's behaviour towards the women he walked with in the cross-country Bharat Jodo Yatra was inappropriate. "You all know Rahul Gandhi - how he behaves in meetings and public rallies, walking hand in hand with women, putting his arm around their shoulders during the Bharat Jodo Yatra," he said.

Dilawar also launched a diatribe against Dotasra, advising the Shekhawati leader to "look into his own life and what he has done". "Ask anyone in his village about his involvement in characterless acts. It is impossible to state any figure. Whether it was the Bhanwari Devi case or the Ajmer blackmail scandal, Congress was involved," claimed Dilawar.

Dilawar also came to Devnani's defence, asserting that the Speaker's image was "spotless". "Congress may spread false and baseless allegations, but they cannot tarnish his reputation. He is among the finest in BJP, and his character is beyond reproach," Dilawar said. Dotasra couldn't be reached for comments.

Meanwhile, LoP Tikaram Jully termed BJP's aggression "a calculated attempt to deflect attention from the 'SpyGate'".