At Pali roadshow, Bhajan Lal Sharma accuses Gehlot of ‘politics of allegations’

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma accused his predecessor Ashok Gehlot of practising the politics of allegations, at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) roadshow in Pali district on Thursday, 5 November, ahead of local body elections there.

Mr. Sharma targeted the record of the previous Congress government and said his government had turned the State’s power situation around, to the point where Rajasthan could now supply electricity to other States. He also argued for “One State, One Election”, holding elections to all local bodies in the State at the same time.

The background

The BJP won the Assembly election in December 2023, and Mr. Sharma, a first-time MLA, was a surprise choice as Chief Minister. Mr. Gehlot, who led the Congress government from 2018 to 2023, has kept up a running attack on the BJP government’s record, and the two have traded charges over power cuts, recruitment exams and law and order.

Elections to Rajasthan’s 309 urban local bodies were held in September. The government has said it wants all local body polls, including panchayats, held together in future, which it says would save money and reduce the time the model code of conduct holds up work.

Mr. Gehlot has not responded to the latest remarks.