A political slugfest has erupted in Rajasthan ahead of the Panchayati Raj elections. The Congress has once again accused the government of misusing the administrative machinery to harass and block opposition candidates and stop them from contesting.
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra alleged that administrative officials were being asked to prepare a list of potential opposition candidates.
In a social media post, Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra alleged that administrative officials were being asked to prepare a list of potential opposition candidates. The idea is to send bulldozers to their houses, dig out some dues to get their nomination forms rejected, and if none of this worked, they could be picked up by the police, as he alleged had happened with councillors during the municipal elections. Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully also echoed the allegations, saying the government is misusing its power and attempting to destroy democracy. BJP state president Madan Rathore dismissed the Congress allegations as nothing more than rhetoric. Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham also hit back at the Congress, saying there has been a lack of political decorum within the party. He alleged that Congress leaders use inappropriate language against officials as well as their own political opponents.
He said that if the government gives directions and officials act against the rules, Constitution and law, they would not merely be transferred or removed but could also face punishment. He said the Congress was fighting against it and would continue to do so. He said Dotasra makes “irresponsible statements” and that the Congress is afraid of going before the people. Rathore said if the BJP had actually misused government machinery, the Congress would have been wiped out.
