Where is it written that only those who vote for BJP are Hindus?: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR/UDAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday accused BJP of linking the voting preference of people with Hinduism and asked whether those who do not vote for the party are not Hindus.
"You (BJP) come up with one issue or the other to provoke people in the name of religion, caste. All are Hindus. Aren't we Hindus? Where is it written that only those who vote for BJP are Hindus?" Gehlot asked.
Speaking at the inauguration of Haldighati Youth Festival at Nathdwara in Rajsamand district, Gehlot appealed to the youth to decide whether they want development or just issues that provoke people.
"In a democracy, some vote for BJP, some do not. Some vote for Congress, some do not," he said. "Where did they get this definition that those who do not vote for BJP are not Hindus? It is not in the interest of the country," Gehlot said.
Alleging that a BJP government will stop the schemes run by the current government in Rajasthan, Gehlot said, "I would like to tell the youth, you decide whether you want development, whether you want a vision or (not)."
He also told the youth that "knowledge is power".
He said Rajasthan today ranks first in the country in the IT sector.
During his visit to Nathdwara and Rajsamand on Friday, Gehlot inspected the 'Mehangai Rahat Camps' organized in the municipality. He also interacted with the beneficiaries.
Later, Gehlot inaugurated the two-day divisional level Haldi Ghati Youth Festival at Vishwas Swaroopam Complex. The programme is being organised under the supervision of Rajasthan Youth Board, Udaipur division and district administration of Rajsamand. While addressing the youth, Gehlot said Rajasthan must be made No. 1 by 2030.
While mentioning the facilities being provided to the students in Anuprati Yojana, he assured all possible cooperation for future of the youth.
The chief minister said colleges will be opened wherever there is a strength of 500 girl students. The CM appealed to the young generation and said knowledge is the biggest power, the technological revolution has come in the country because of the dreams of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.
"It is the dream of the government that Rajasthan should become the top state in the field of education. We want children in villages to speak English fluently and that is why we have opened English medium schools. Right now, 3 lakh children are studying in English medium schools," he added.
Gehlot attended a religious programme of Mali Samaaj in Amet town of Rajsamand and said some people are doing politics in the name of religion. "Politics should be in place of politics and religion should have its own place," he said. (with agency inputs)