Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, during his visit to Barmer from Jaisalmer for a social program, addressed. Several pressing political issues, including the Rajasthan cabinet expansion, Panchayati Raj elections, and the integrity of voter lists. His remarks included sharp criticism directed at the Congress party, sparking fresh debate in the state's political circles, particularly concerning electoral processes and political integrity. Shekhawat explicitly questioned the Congress's past modus operandi and highlighted a significant shift in the current political landscape.
Cabinet Expansion: CM's Prerogative
Amidst ongoing speculation and discussions regarding the Rajasthan cabinet expansion, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat offered his perspective on the matter. He unequivocally stated that the cabinet expansion is the Chief Minister's prerogative and that the decision should be left to him. Shekhawat emphasized that discussions on this subject wouldn't require hours or months, but rather, when the time comes, a decision could be reached swiftly within 5-7 minutes. He also pointed out that when such discussions occur, making decisions collectively. Is an integral part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) working methodology. This indicates that while the BJP values collective decision-making, the final authority rests with the Chief Minister.
Accusations Regarding Panchayati Raj Elections
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched a scathing attack on the Congress regarding the Panchayati Raj elections. He labeled the Congress as 'sinners' for allegedly committing the 'sin' of splitting the Panchayati Raj elections into four phases, while shekhawat stated that once the voter list is purified through the SIR (Systematic Information Retrieval) process, elections would be conducted with a 'pure intent'. He expressed his full support for Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's stance that Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections should be conducted simultaneously. Shekhawat advised Congress leaders to introspect rather than questioning others, as, according to him, it was the Congress that had compromised the integrity of the electoral process, while this statement was a direct assault on the electoral strategies adopted by the Congress during its previous tenure.
Voter List Purification and Rahul Gandhi's Inconsistent Stand
Shekhawat also spoke about the purity of voter lists and the role of the Election Commission, while he asserted that the Constitution has established the Election Commission to ensure elections are conducted with integrity, clarity, transparency, and honesty across the country. The responsibility for maintaining accurate voter lists and conducting fair elections rests with the Election Commission. He strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi's contradictory stance on voter list integrity, while shekhawat recalled that after the Maharashtra election results, Rahul Gandhi had alleged irregularities in the voter list, but then opposed the SIR work when it began before the Bihar elections and in 12 other states. He stated that Rahul Gandhi should clarify his stand, as on one hand, he talks about fake votes, and on the other, he opposes their removal. This inconsistency, Shekhawat implied, undermines the credibility of Congress's concerns.
Congress's Alleged History of Electoral Malpractice
The Union Minister further accused the Congress party of having a long history of manipulating electoral processes. He claimed that the Congress party has always won elections through such 'malicious intentions', while shekhawat alleged that since the 1960s, on many occasions, election results were influenced by 'looting ballot boxes' and 'manipulating ballot papers'. According to him, the Congress secured 'lifelong power' through these methods, while these are serious allegations that question the electoral honesty of the Congress. Shekhawat stated that now, with honest elections being conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the narrative of the country's politics has changed, which is causing discomfort to the Congress.
Shift Towards Development Politics and Public Mandate
Shekhawat also highlighted the transformation in Indian politics, while he stated that since Narendra Modi's entry into Delhi politics in 2014, the axis of politics has shifted towards development. He claimed that the results of the Bihar elections delivered a 'resounding slap' from the public to those who engage in divisive politics. This indicates that the public is now prioritizing development and good governance over caste-based or divisive politics. Shekhawat emphasized that the BJP government's primary agenda is development, and the public has accepted this agenda, leading to a fundamental change in how political power is sought and maintained.
The 'Frustrated Cat' Proverb
Concluding his address, Union Minister Shekhawat linked the current state of the Congress to a famous Hindi proverb, 'Khisiyaani Billi Khamba Noche' (a frustrated cat scratches a pillar). He stated that the Congress is now making baseless accusations and 'trying to scratch the pillar' due to its defeats and the changing political circumstances. This proverb is used to describe someone who, out of frustration or embarrassment from their failure, unfairly lashes out or blames others. Shekhawat's statement reflects his perception of the Congress's desperation and their loss of political ground,. Especially as transparency in electoral processes and development politics gain more prominence in the country.
