PMO hits back after Gehlot says wasn't allowed to address event

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday alleged the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) cancelled his "pre-scheduled three minute" speech at an event addressed by PM Narendra Modi in Sikar district-a charge rebutted by the PMO which said he was invited but his office said he would "not be able to join". As Gehlot insisted that he was supposed to speak but his address was not slotted for the event, Modi later said the chief minister could not join due to an injury with his feet.

- Sachin Saini

The PM addressed a rally and inaugurated various development projects, including the release of the 14th instalment of the Centre's flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), at Sikar. The state is scheduled to go to the polls in November.

The initial exchange between Gehlot and PMO took place on Twitter, hours before Modi's visit to the district. Gehlot said he was welcoming the PM through his tweet, instead of a speech, as the latter's office had removed his "pre-scheduled three-minute address" from the event.