Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accused the state’s BJP government of allegedly misusing the administrative machinery in the upcoming municipal and panchayat elections. At a press conference at his residence in Jaipur on Sunday, Gehlot claimed that the government was attempting to use the administrative machinery to benefit the BJP in the elections. He alleged that collectors and superintendents of police were being pressured to work in favour of the BJP.
Gehlot said his allegations were based not on political speculation but on feedback available to him. He said the administration should remain completely impartial during the election process and officials should not be pressured to work in favour of any political party.
Gehlot alleged that the Rajasthan BJP government was concerned about a possible defeat in the municipal and panchayat elections. According to him, meetings were being held with administrative officials ahead of the elections and they were being influenced to create an electoral environment favouring the ruling party.
Gehlot claimed that the Chief Minister was calling collectors and SPs in groups and giving them instructions regarding election preparations. He alleged that a situation was being created in which officials were being assigned responsibility for ensuring the BJP’s victory in the elections.
No public document or direct evidence supporting these allegations was presented at the press conference. The claims were therefore presented as political allegations made by the former Chief Minister. No official response from the state government or the BJP was included in the source content.
Gehlot also alleged that the BJP government had not wanted to hold municipal and panchayat elections since the beginning of its tenure. He said the government had to move towards holding the elections following court observations and pressure from the judicial process.
According to the former Chief Minister, the government was attempting to use the administrative machinery in its favour as the elections approached. He said the administration should remain impartial in democratic elections and all political parties should receive equal opportunity.
Gehlot demanded that the government make the electoral process transparent and keep officials free from any political pressure.
During the press conference, Gehlot also raised the issue of alleged dissatisfaction within the BJP government over the administration. He said the situation in the state had reached a point where a minister of the government had to sit on a protest for nearly six hours against the collector and commissioner.
Gehlot said the incident raised questions about the state of governance. He said that if the government’s own minister was being compelled to protest against officials, it indicated the state of coordination between the administration and elected representatives.
The former Chief Minister cited the incident while questioning the administrative functioning of the BJP government and demanded better coordination between officials and elected representatives.
Gehlot also targeted the state government over the blind murder case in Lohawat in Jodhpur district. He said several days had passed since the incident but the accused had not been arrested.
The former Chief Minister claimed that the administration had given a written assurance that the accused would be arrested within five days, but the expected action had not taken place even after the stipulated period.
Gehlot demanded that the Chief Minister and Director General of Police clarify the current status of the case. He questioned why the investigation and arrests were being delayed if the police had clues related to the case.
Whether any investigating agency has confirmed the identities of the accused, their arrests or the allegations of political pressure was not officially clear in the source content.
Gehlot also commented on the political dispute over Vande Mataram. Targeting the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he said they did not have the moral right to speak on the issue of Vande Mataram.
Gehlot claimed that the BJP and RSS had no role in the freedom movement. He linked the current political dispute to its historical context and questioned the opposition parties over the issue.
Political exchanges between the BJP and Congress over Vande Mataram have intensified in recent days, with both parties presenting the issue in different political and historical contexts. Gehlot’s comments were part of that broader political debate.
Gehlot also appealed to youths and other protesters who were on hunger strikes over various demands. He said protesters should continue fighting for their demands but should not put their health at risk.
He advised protesters to convey their demands to the government through sit-ins, demonstrations and other democratic means instead of hunger strikes. Gehlot said it was the responsibility of any democratic government to engage with protesters and attempt to resolve their problems.
The former Chief Minister alleged that the current government was not taking the demands and health of protesting people seriously enough and appealed to the government to initiate a dialogue process.
Gehlot also questioned the BJP government over the law and order situation in Rajasthan. He said repeated criminal incidents were increasing a sense of insecurity among ordinary people.
The former Chief Minister demanded that the police and administration take concrete steps to control crime effectively. He said law and order was among the primary responsibilities of any government and people should have a safe environment.
Gehlot also criticised the state government over healthcare services and welfare schemes. He alleged that weakening or changing several schemes of the previous government was causing difficulties for poor and needy people.
Political activity surrounding the municipal and panchayat elections has intensified in Rajasthan, with Gehlot raising the issue of electoral impartiality through his allegations against the BJP government.
Gehlot demanded that the government avoid any political pressure on administrative officials, strengthen law and order and address public issues with sensitivity. The issue could become more prominent in Rajasthan politics alongside the announcement of municipal and panchayat election dates and the subsequent electoral process.
