Constitutional post holders shouldn't be dragged into politics: Dhankhar schools Gehlot

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday countered Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's remarks on his 'frequent visits' to the poll-bound state, by saying that people sitting in constitutional posts should not be dragged necessarily into politics. 

Addressing the students and faculty members of Mody University of Science and Technology in Laxmangarh, Dhankhar said, "Some people are saying why are you coming here again and again. I do not expect, people in authority to make statements in light of constitutional positions. This is not good for democracy." 

"There must be respect for constitutional positions and all of us in togetherness, hand in hand, in collaboration and coordination with a consensual approach, have to serve the people at large," the Vice President added. 

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot had targeted Dhankhar on several occasions over his frequent visits to the poll-bound state. "It is election season in Rajasthan. If you keep visiting repeatedly what would people think of you? What do you want?" Gehlot said. 

"He (Dhankar) must have visited Rajasthan 5-7 times this month. The public understands these things and will give a befitting reply to such things happening in the state," Gehlot added. 

'We all are servants of this country'

Questioning Gehlot whether he had done anything wrong by visiting his home state, Dhankhar said, "It is our country, we all are servants of this country whatever be our position, right from the President down the line up to the Chief Minister. We must be very sensitive, we should not generate such a public perception that a person holding a constitutional post should be unnecessarily dragged into politics, it is not right."

The BJP had also unleashed a blistering attack on CM Gehlot for questioning frequent visits of Dhankhar to Rajasthan. Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "For the Vice-President (Jagdeep Dhankhar), the CM (Ashok Gehlot) said, why is he coming now? So the Vice-President will come after getting permission from him?"