Jaipur: The Rajasthan Congress has demanded the resignation of Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena following recent action by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in an alleged bribery case linked to seed companies and the approval of product samples.
Escalating its attack on the minister, the state Congress accused Dr. Meena of being directly connected to the controversy and called for immediate accountability.
In a post on social media platform X, the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) said, “This is no longer a time for explanations but for accountability. If even a shred of morality remains, Dr. Kirori Lal Meena should resign immediately. Otherwise, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma must remove him from the Cabinet without delay.”
Congress Questions Minister’s Alleged Links to Accused Individuals
The Congress alleged that a person named Sandeep, who was previously accused of extortion in Sikar using the minister’s name, has now surfaced in the ACB investigation.
According to the party, police had earlier arrested the accused in the Sikar case, but the minister allegedly attempted to defend him.
The opposition also cited alleged conversations involving former Rajasthan State Seed Corporation director Jugal Kishore Bishnoi, who was recently arrested in the ACB case.
Congress claimed that an alleged recorded conversation suggested that the Sikar extortion controversy had exposed the wider network and raised questions about payments allegedly linked to the case.
FIR, Arrests and Alleged Call Recordings Raise Fresh Questions
The Congress further questioned why the minister publicly defended Sandeep despite an FIR being registered against him in Sikar.
In its statement, the party referred to earlier remarks by Dr. Meena praising a team that allegedly included Sandeep and another individual, Rajneesh, for their work.
The opposition asked whether Sandeep was a key figure in what it described as an alleged extortion and bribery network operating within the agriculture sector.
“The biggest question is why the minister came forward in defense of Sandeep even after his arrest and the registration of an FIR,” the Congress said.
‘Minister Has Lost Moral Right to Continue’
The Congress alleged that developments in the case—including raids, alleged settlements, extortion accusations, FIRs, arrests, and purported call recordings—have created serious questions about the minister’s role.
The party claimed that Jugal Kishore Bishnoi, who allegedly intervened on behalf of Sandeep, is now in jail, while Sandeep’s name has surfaced in the ongoing corruption investigation.
“Everything is now becoming clear through the investigation. Dr. Kirori Lal Meena has lost the moral right to continue as Agriculture Minister,” the Congress stated.
ACB Investigation Continues
The controversy stems from an ACB probe into allegations that officials and intermediaries accepted money from seed companies in exchange for clearing product samples and facilitating approvals.
While the investigation is ongoing, Congress leaders have intensified pressure on the BJP government, demanding accountability and action against those allegedly involved.
The Rajasthan government and Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena have not yet issued a detailed response to the latest allegations made by the opposition.
The ACB investigation remains underway, and further developments are expected as authorities continue examining evidence and statements related to the case.