Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the ruling Congress government in Rajasthan, accusing them of planned strategies in communal clashes and blaming Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for failing to take concrete action due to ‘vote bank’ politics. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur on the last day of the campaign for the Rajasthan Assembly elections, Shah cited instances of appeasement politics by the Congress government, alleging that riots occurred in various cities over the past five years. He expressed confidence in the BJP winning the assembly elections, asserting a widespread desire for change among the people of Rajasthan.
Shah highlighted incidents like the use of a bulldozer on Ram Darbar in Salasar, breaking a Shivalinga in Alwar with a drilling machine, and ramming a cow shed in Kathumar with a bulldozer, attributing these actions to appeasement policies. He emphasized the BJP’s commitment to forming the next government in Rajasthan.
Rajasthan is gearing up for assembly polls on November 25, with results to be declared on December 3. Out of 200 assembly seats, 199 will be contested on November 25, as elections in the Karanpur constituency were adjourned due to the passing of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar. In the 2018 elections, Congress won 99 seats, while BJP secured 73. Gehlot assumed the CM position with the support of BSP MLAs and independents.
As the campaigning intensifies, BJP accuses Congress of appeasement for vote bank politics, while Congress targets the BJP over the Adani issue. Shah mentioned the ‘red diary’ controversy and questioned Gehlot, claiming that people are curious about it and asking why there is fear surrounding it. The ‘red diary’ is alleged to contain incriminating material against the Gehlot-led government.
The BJP has been campaigning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and party president JP Nadda, while Congress has brought in party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and MP Rahul Gandhi for the election battle. The BJP has been pressing the Congress on the ‘red diary’ issue, claiming it reveals irregularities in elections to the Rajasthan Cricket Association and exposing corruption in the state government.