Rajasthan minister sparks row with 'prostitute' jibe at state Congress chief

Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar on Thursday courted a controversy after making alleged objectionable remarks against Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara while defending a fellow minister against corruption allegations levelled by the opposition.

Responding to Dotasara's charges against Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, Dilawar said the Congress leader's accusations were "like a prostitute accusing a chaste woman."

"Look, it is just like a prostitute accusing a chaste woman. Those who are themselves neck-deep in corruption are making allegations against others. I reiterate that Dotasara-ji is dishonest and shameless, whereas Dr Kirodi Lal Meena is as pure as gold," Dilawar said.

He further claimed that no allegation against Meena could stand scrutiny and accused Dotasara of using "cheap tactics" to divert attention from his own alleged involvement in corruption.

"No allegation against him holds water. Dotasara-ji is mired deep in the swamp of corruption and resorts to such cheap tactics to divert attention from it. As I said earlier, it is just like a prostitute accusing a chaste woman," he added.

Congress leader Swarnim Chaturvedi hit back at the Education Minister, saying he is known for making irresponsible statements and that his remarks were unbecoming of the office he holds, and said, "Action should be taken against him".

"Rajasthan's Education Minister is known only for his unparliamentary, objectionable remarks and irresponsible statements. Recently, while targeting Pradesh Congress Committee president, he used extremely low-level language. The words he chose were unbecoming of the dignity of his office. He also seemed to forget that a woman was seated beside him while making those remarks," he added.

The remarks came a day after Dotasara, the congress leader and former Education Minister, launched a broad attack on the BJP government, focusing particularly on Meena. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Rajasthan Congress chief demanded a time-bound probe into the seizure of Rs 2.43 crore from individuals allegedly associated with the agriculture minister.

Dotasara questioned whether the money was collected in the name of conducting raids or to avoid them, noting that Meena himself had acknowledged that those arrested had been providing him information. He demanded an impartial investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) or the Special Operations Group (SOG), saying that only a transparent inquiry could establish the minister's honesty.

- Ends