Govt will focus on weeding out social inequalities: Thawar Chand Gehlot

NEW DELHI: Thawar Chand Gehlot today assumed his charge as the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.

Briefing reporters on the occasion, Gehlot stressed on weeding out social inequalities and bringing in social harmony.

"Weeding out social inequalities and bringing in social harmony is the primary goal of this government and the Prime Minister has mentioned this several times in his speech," Gehlot said.

Pointing out that people cutting across caste and class lines have endorsed Narendra Modi, he said casteism was not observed in the just concluded elections.

"Casteism was not observed in elections this time and people of all castes of the society have voted for Modi because he stands for development," he said.

Gehlot, one of the most recognised BJP face for Scheduled Castes in Madhya Pradesh made it to the senior ranks of the Modi government when he was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister yesterday.

The 66-year-old leader is a Rajya Sabha member and BJP's national general secretary, as well.

Gehlot's inclusion in the Union Cabinet is seen as giving representation to the under-privileged section of the society.

Gehlot has tested electoral waters earlier as he has been a member of 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Lok Sabha from Shajapur constituency in the state.

He was elected to Rajya Sabha in May 2012 and is an old party loyalist.

Gehlot has held several positions in state and was also head of BJP's Scheduled Castes Cell.

He was also deputed as the central observer of the party for Gujarat and is considered close to Modi.