Jaipur, Aug 2 (IANS) Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Madan Rathore has said the party is fully prepared for the upcoming Panchayat and local body elections scheduled to be held in the state.
He added on Saturday that the party’s organisational structure is strong down to the booth level, with responsibilities assigned to every party worker, and expressed confidence that the BJP would register a resounding victory.
Rathore noted that the BJP has won more than 80 per cent of the seats in the by-elections conducted so far.
He also highlighted the party’s victory in the local body by-election held in State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra’s own Assembly constituency.
He said that Panchayat and local body elections are driven by local needs and public expectations, and that the BJP will place local development at the centre of its campaign by presenting a comprehensive development roadmap for Panchayats and urban local bodies for the coming term.
Commenting on the ongoing infighting within the Congress, Rathore added that the dispute between Govind Singh Dotasra and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is an internal matter of the Congress.
However, the State BJP President alleged that personal ambitions within the Congress have reached a level that is becoming increasingly difficult to contain.
He said similar ambitions had earlier led to senior leader Sachin Pilot being labeled “Nakara” and “Nikamma”, resulting in internal divisions within the Congress.
According to Rathore, the same trend continues today, with no leader willing to compromise within the Congress.
He also alleged that Dotasra, who rose to the position of State Congress President with the support of a particular leadership, is now attempting to sideline that very leadership.
He said that regardless of Gehlot’s explanations, the reality of the Congress’s internal power struggle is evident.
The State BJP President said the party remains focused on strengthening its organisation and empowering its workers, while Congress leaders are preoccupied with internal rivalries instead of addressing public concerns.
He said the BJP government, under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, is consistently advancing its development agenda through initiatives such as the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), the Yamuna water project, securing additional water from the Narmada, achieving self-reliance in power generation, promoting industrial development, advancing the refinery project, creating employment opportunities, improving the financial health of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, strengthening policing, and taking firm action against criminals.
Responding to criticism from the Opposition Congress, Rathore said Congress leaders oppose the BJP simply because they are in the Opposition.
“If they (Congress) were to praise the BJP’s work, their political shop would shut down,” he remarked.
He also alleged that Congress leaders are competing to make the strongest statements in order to impress their leadership.
Referring to the Congress’s internal dynamics, Rathore claimed that Dotasra is uncomfortable with the growing political stature of Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Tika Ram Jully, while simultaneously attempting to diminish Gehlot’s influence.
He also alleged that Sachin Pilot is waiting for the conflict between the two senior leaders (Dotasra and Jully) to intensify before making his move.
Comparing the situation to a “Jalebi race”, Rathore remarked that LoP Jully is currently leading the race within the Congress.
On the issue of examination paper leaks, Rathore said former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had made several attempts to curb the problem but was unsuccessful.
He recalled Gehlot’s earlier statement alleging that groups of youths conspired to leak examination papers.
Rathore also referred to Dotasra’s statement, “Do I conduct the examinations?” while noting that both Gehlot and Dotasra had demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over similar issues.
He alleged that this reflected a double standard on the part of the Congress and said the public is fully aware of the positions taken by its leaders.
Rathore asserted that the BJP has no intention of following what he described as the Congress’ approach.
He said the BJP does not support securing illegal benefits for anyone, including the children of its own leaders or workers.
Questioning the eligibility of legislators to claim OBC reservation benefits despite falling under the creamy layer, he reiterated that the BJP believes in the rule of law, transparency, and equal application of the law, and does not support extending benefits through unlawful means.
–IANS
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