Criticizing the Gehlot administration, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a resounding victory in Rajasthan’s upcoming elections. He stated, “It is evident that the people of Rajasthan will elect us with an overwhelming mandate…we will establish a strong government in Rajasthan and steer it towards progress.” He made these remarks while inaugurating the BJP’s ‘Parivartan Yatra’ in the state.
Rajasthan is slated to hold assembly elections later this year, and the ‘Parivartan’ Yatras are planned to traverse the state until September 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a major public rally in Jaipur on September 25.
Shekhawat criticized the state government that came to power after the 2018 elections for what he perceived as a focus on self-preservation rather than public welfare. He remarked on the internal conflicts within the party, including disputes between the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, which he believed had adversely affected the state’s 7.8-9 crore inhabitants. He stated, “The people of Rajasthan have suffered immensely due to this turmoil.”
Furthermore, Shekhawat expressed deep concern over the increasing violence against women in Rajasthan, dubbing it the “rape capital of India.” He alleged that the government had failed to combat corruption effectively and had allowed corruption to flourish in the state. He also noted the prevalence of gang wars and the government’s seeming inability to address them.
In a scathing critique of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Shekhawat addressed the Pratapgarh incident, where a tribal woman was allegedly beaten and paraded naked, saying, “The Chief Minister has often shifted blame by attributing the rising number of incidents in Rajasthan to the fact that many cases are being reported and that most of the perpetrators are related to the victims.” He highlighted that acts of violence against women, disrespect, and gang rapes were occurring regularly.
Shekhawat also chastised Congress ministers in Rajasthan for making insensitive remarks about women. He accused them of showing a lack of shame and suggested that such comments contributed to a lack of fear among potential wrongdoers and culprits.
The Union Minister emphasized that merely investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators was insufficient. He called on the government to identify the root causes behind such incidents and take comprehensive steps to eliminate them. He stressed that the shame and concern extended not only to Rajasthan but also to women across the entire nation.
