Following former chief minister Ashok Gehlot's allegation that phones of elected representatives and bureaucrats are being tapped by the government, ex-home minister of the state Shanti Dhariwal levelled similar charges even as the ruling BJP dismissed the claim.
Dhariwal claimed he got the information from officials in home department who were actually involved in phone-tapping.
"Even my mobile phone is being tapped. But despite having the information, I am using the same number," he said adding the charges levelled by Gehlot are true.
On Friday, Gehlot had alleged the government was tapping phones of elected representatives and bureaucrats.
Dhariwal further alleged the phones of the officials deployed in his department during his last tenure are also being tapped and this has been going on for over six months.
Speaking to reporters at the launch of the Dhariwal Social Media Cell in Kota yesterday he said he is not taking legal recourse in the matter as he is "not afraid".
The government meanwhile, termed the charges by the Opposition party "baseless".
"Gehlot is sidelined in the (Congress) party and is levelling baseless allegations just to remain in news," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore said.
Launching the Dhariwal Social Media Cell, the senior Congress leader also said one of the major reasons for his party's defeat in the last Assembly and Parliamentary elections was the lack of social media connect.
"Realising the significance of social media, I have launched the social media cell to connect with maximum people and their problems", Dhariwal said.
On the issue of the allegations levelled by a dalit IAS officer, Umrao Salodia that he was denied promotion as the Chief Secretary of the state because of his "caste", Dhariwal demanded the government make its stand clear.
Salodia had converted to Islam and applied for Voluntary Retirement Scheme in protest against the extension of tenure awarded to incumbent Chief Secretary CS Rajan.
But the government had rejected the allegations of "victimisations" and indicated action against him for allegedly violating service Rules.
