Citizen Wants Ex-CM To Sell 13-Year-Old Tata Safari Storme And Buy 'Black Land Rover Defender': Hilarious Video
Rajasthan's former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot still has a 13-year-old Tata Safari Storme in his official convoy. He is often seen making public appearances with the SUV. In an amusing moment, a citizen recently urged him to upgrade, requesting to buy a Black Land Rover Defender instead of the humble Tata...
A video circulating online shows the interesting exchange between the two. Gehlot is seen in the front passenger seat of his Safari Storme and is likely leaving some public event. A large crowd can be seen around. Among them is a man, probably in his late twenties or early thirties, who approaches the former CM with an 'unconventional' request- to buy a Defender instead of the Safari that he's seated in!
The former CM appears amused by the unusual plea. In the video, he can be heard asking the man what a Defender is and why he should consider buying one. The man, who identifies himself as Simbu Dayal Saini, says that it is a 'great car' (which wealthy people buy).
Gehlot then says that the Safari is a good vehicle, reliable and he has been using it for a while. These words show how satisfied the minister is, with his current vehicle.
The citizen is not ready to give up and keeps making more polite requests. At some point, he even folds his hands as a gesture of respect, while asking the minister to buy a Defender!
He runs a tea shop and says that he’s seen Gehlot using the same Safari for 'nearly 15' years, while most other ministers frequently update their vehicles. He reiterates that it is time for an upgrade and goes on to say that Gehlot is his favourite leader and he thus wishes him to have the best car (hence Defender!).
Image source: DNA India
Gehlot is seen smiling and nodding to the man's plea, towards the end of the video. It remains to be seen if he would actually buy the multi-crore SUV. Due to its unusual nature, this video has sparked interest and laughter online.
This Man Made A Mistake!
While the video shows just how genuinely interested this guy is, in seeing the minister own a Defender, here's an error that he didn't notice. He said that Gehlot has been using the Safari Storme for 15 years now.
Tata Motors launched the Safari Storme in October 2012, replacing the Dicor that was on sale previously. The claim that the minister has been using it for '15' years stands false. It is 13 years or lower. But considering the spontaneous nature of this conversation and the guy's genuine intentions, this error is forgivable.
Defender- The Symbol Of Power And Dominance
In politics, power and the symbols of it are of key significance. In India, leaders often own vehicles of a particular make, model or colour to show their power, money, influence and dominance. The Toyota Fortuner is a classic example.
On the more expensive and classier side of things, we have the Land Rover Defender. Most wealthy businessmen and those in power have already added it to their respective garages. Black remains the preferred colour option in many such cases.
In 2025, the Defender has an ex-showroom price of Rs 1.39 Crores. The 2025 range got updated interiors, and a reworked V8 engine. Land Rover now offers this powerplant even on lower trims. The Defender range is now more streamlined than before.
It continues to be offered in three body styles- 90, 110 and 130. The cabin now gets 14-way heated/cooled electric seats, suede headliner, more storage in the centre console, and captain seats for the second row.
Land Rover offers both petrol and diesel engines on the new Defender. The 110 can be had with a 2.0L petrol, 420hp V8 petrol and a 3.0L diesel engine.