Raj CM Ashok Gehlot plays down law-&-order statement by Sachin Pilot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday played down controversy triggered by remarks on law and order by his deputy Sachin Pilot, saying it was good that party people were raising such issues. chief minister said media was unnecessarily making it an issue.  

"It is good that people in our party do t hesitate in speaking on issues like law and order or roads. It gives us feedback. We do t take it orwise. But media unnecessarily made it an issue," Gehlot said, adding that it was "quite natural" to speak up whenever re was crime.

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Sachin Pilot, who is deputy chief minister and was locked in a contest with Gehlot for post of chief minister after assembly polls, had said last week that law and order had deteriorated in "parts of state" and shortcomings needed to be improved.  

His comments were seen targeted at Gehlot, who holds home portfolio. Gehlot, however, on Monday drew attention to ecomic condition of country, terming situation alarming. He said situation might get worse as people were "losing jobs and ecomy was slowing down". Gehlot was in Kota to review situation in flood-hit areas. 

Before reaching Kota, Gehlot, along with Disaster Manment and Relief Minister Bhanwar Lal Meghwal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal, conducted an aerial survey of affected areas in Dholpur, Kota and Jhalawar.

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