Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 issued a sharp counter to incumbent Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, demanding that Sharma either produce documentary evidence to back his allegations or tender a public apology within 24 hours. The standoff follows Sharma's politically charged address at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, End Anarchy) march and rally in Jodhpur, where the Chief Minister launched a sustained attack on Gehlot and the previous Congress government.

What Gehlot Said

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Gehlot described the Chief Minister's remarks as entirely without factual basis. 'I am deeply pained by the baseless remarks made by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in Jodhpur today, which have no factual basis whatsoever. He has presented an entirely fabricated narrative by making false and personal allegations against me,' Gehlot wrote. He demanded that Sharma provide 'a detailed account, supported by facts and documents, to both me and the people of Rajasthan' or apologise within 24 hours.

Gehlot further said he had expected the Chief Minister to maintain democratic decorum and instead address allegations — widely reported in the media — concerning the purchase of a villa by IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal, who served as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. He alleged that Sharma himself chairs the board that approved special concessions for the Ananta company, raising pointed questions about a conflict of interest in the ongoing probe.

The ACB Impartiality Question

Gehlot questioned the credibility of any investigation conducted by the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which functions under the state government. 'How can an agency operating under the Chief Minister conduct an impartial investigation into a decision taken by a board chaired by the Chief Minister himself?' he asked. He also demanded that the inquiry be handed over to a central agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), arguing that only an independent probe could yield credible findings.

The former Chief Minister alleged that rather than addressing these substantive questions, Sharma had resorted to personal attacks to divert public attention — a charge the BJP camp has not yet formally responded to.

What CM Sharma Said at the Jodhpur Rally

Addressing the BJP rally in Jodhpur earlier on Tuesday, Chief Minister Sharma had catalogued a series of allegations against the previous Congress administration. He claimed that Rajasthan witnessed political instability and internal power struggles during Gehlot's tenure, with the government reportedly 'confined to hotels' rather than attending to governance. Sharma pointedly referenced the well-documented public rift between Gehlot and then Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot.

Taking a jibe at Gehlot — whom he referred to as a 'magician' — Sharma alleged the former Chief Minister had exploited farmers rather than serving their interests, contrasting this with his own background as the son of a farmer. He also raised questions over appointments to the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), examination paper leak cases, and alleged corruption under the Congress government. Sharma specifically cited the arrest of Gehlot's former Personal Security Officer, Head Constable Rajkumar Yadav, in connection with a paper leak case.

On the Jal Jeevan Mission controversy, Sharma alleged that ministers and officials from the previous Congress government had been sent to jail in connection with the case. He also took a swipe at what he described as Congress's internal dysfunction, pointing to a recent Congress rally where, according to him, Gehlot was not given a place on the stage while Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra was addressing the gathering.

The Broader Political Context

This confrontation is the latest flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between the BJP-led state government and the Congress opposition in Rajasthan. The BJP came to power in the state following the December 2023 assembly elections, ending Gehlot's five-year term. Since then, both sides have traded accusations over governance failures, corruption, and political propriety. The Ananta Resort special package and the Shikhar Agrawal villa episode have emerged as focal points for Opposition pressure on the Sharma government.

With Gehlot's 24-hour ultimatum now on the table, the BJP government's response — or silence — will set the tone for the next round of this political exchange. All eyes are on whether Sharma addresses the specific questions raised about the ACB probe and the Investment Board's role.