Lokesh Sharma, the former officer on special duty (OSD) of Ashok Gehlot, has made startling allegations against the former Rajasthan Chief Minister. Sharma, who was questioned in connection with the illegal phone-tapping case, claimed that Gehlot provided him with audio recordings of cabinet ministers and instructed him to release them to the media.
Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, Sharma disclosed that despite enduring extensive interrogation by the Crime Branch in Delhi for 8-9 hours multiple times, he remained silent until now. He alleged that Gehlot, the individual responsible for the phone-tapping incident, left him to face the consequences alone.
Sharma asserted that Gehlot had given him a pen drive containing audio clips of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Congress leader Bhanwarlal Sharma, and Sanjay Jain, instructing him to disseminate them to the media. He also claimed that phones belonging to Sachin Pilot and his associates were tapped when they planned to approach the Congress high command regarding issues with Gehlot's leadership.
During the press conference, Sharma played a purported recording of his conversation with Gehlot, where Gehlot inquired about the phone recordings. Sharma alleged that Gehlot pressured him to ensure that news suggested MLAs gathered at Shanti Dhariwal's residence preferred any Chief Minister candidate over Sachin Pilot.
Additionally, Sharma claimed that Gehlot was reluctant to take action in the Rajasthan paper leak case and attempted to circumvent prosecution against the accused, DP Jaroli. He asserted his willingness to share evidence with the current government and accused the previous administration of widespread corruption, including scams during the COVID-19 pandemic and in various schemes.
These allegations, if proven true, could have significant implications for Rajasthan's political landscape and may tarnish Gehlot's reputation. It remains to be seen how authorities and the public respond to Sharma's claims and whether they lead to further investigations or legal action.
