Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Saturday met the Dalit engineer who was allegedly attacked by party MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga and his supporters in March last year, leaving him with multiple injuries. Since then he has been hospitalized as he has broken several bones. Kharge said this is a heinous crime and hence the party has decided not to field him during the upcoming assembly elections in the state on November 25.
In March 2022, Harshadhipati Valmiki was allegedly beaten and a chair was thrown at him in the presence of Malinga. The three-time MLA was arrested but later granted bail in the case. Sharing his experience after meeting Valmiki, Kharge said, “Harshadhipati Valmiki is not even able to sit because all his bones are broken.” Rahul Gandhi and I decided not to give ticket to the person (Giriraj Singh Malinga) who committed such a despicable act, even if we lose that seat.”
Video | Congress says, “Harshdipati Valmiki is not even able to sit because all his bones are broken. Rahul Gandhi and I have decided not to give ticket to the person (Giriraj Singh Malinga) who has committed such a despicable act, even though We may lose that seat.” chairman @kharge After going to SMS… pic.twitter.com/qVgy73pYYG
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) 18 November 2023
He said this while meeting the Assistant Engineer at SMS Hospital in Jaipur. Meanwhile, CM Gehlot condemned the incident and criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for fielding Malinga from Bari seat. “The incident is beyond condemnation. (Giriraj Singh) Malinga was a (Congress) MLA, but he was arrested within six months. There was no lapse on the part of the government. Our party took a stand and refused to give him a ticket. The decision was taken. He said, “BJP, which used to criticize us on this incident, has now given him the ticket.”
He joined BJP in the presence of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. “Girraj Singh Malinga ji, who is a three-time MLA and wields considerable influence in eastern Rajasthan, is joining the BJP today despite being guaranteed a ticket from the Congress. Malinga ji is an influential grassroots leader. With his influence over all 36 kaums (communities), he has a hold not only in Dholpur, but throughout eastern Rajasthan. With his joining the family, the strength of the BJP in that entire region will definitely increase manifold,” Shekhawat said while inducting Malinga into the party at a press conference.
Voting is to be held in Rajasthan on November 25 and the results will be declared on December 3.
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