Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 4 July inaugurated the Rajasthan Refinery at Pachpadra in Balotra, dedicating one of the state's largest industrial projects to the nation — and immediately turning the ceremony into a sharp political confrontation. Modi accused the previous Indian National Congress (Congress) government in Rajasthan of stalling the project, while former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hit back with a point-by-point rebuttal, triggering a fresh credit war between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress.

Modi's Charge: Work Stalled Under Congress

Addressing a large rally after the dedication ceremony, Prime Minister Modi alleged that the refinery had lost momentum during the Congress government's tenure between 2018 and 2023, and only regained pace after the BJP returned to power in Rajasthan. 'The refinery project gained momentum as soon as the double-engine government was formed,' he said.

Modi drew a contrast between the BJP's governance philosophy and that of the Congress, arguing that his party delivers on projects rather than merely laying foundation stones. 'BJP governments do not just lay foundation stones and forget about projects. We work day and night to complete them,' he said. He projected the Pachpadra Refinery as evidence of the BJP's 'double-engine' model — where a BJP government at the Centre and in the state work in tandem.

Gehlot's Rebuttal: 85% Work Done Under Congress

Gehlot rejected Modi's claims outright, accusing the Prime Minister of converting an official government function into a partisan political platform. 'It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister behaves like a BJP leader even during government programmes,' Gehlot said.

The former Chief Minister asserted that construction on the refinery continued even through the Covid-19 pandemic and that nearly 85 per cent of the project was completed between 2018 and 2023 under his government. He also noted that the present BJP government had itself announced in its Budget that the project would be completed by August 2025 — a deadline that was missed, making the inauguration nearly a year late. 'If work had stopped, how was 85 per cent of the project completed?' Gehlot asked.

Water Politics and the Shekhawati Agreement

Beyond the refinery, Modi used the occasion to contrast the two parties on water-sharing policy. Recalling his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, he said Gujarat and Rajasthan had reached a cooperative agreement on Narmada waters without conflict — a model he attributed to the BJP's 'Nation First' principle. He announced that BJP governments in both Rajasthan and Haryana have now finalised a deal to channel Yamuna water to the water-scarce Shekhawati region.

Vasundhara Raje Signal and BJP Unity

The rally carried an additional political subtext when Modi repeatedly acknowledged veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's contributions to Rajasthan's development, crediting her with the Narmada water agreement and early groundwork on the Pachpadra project. His reference to 'Sister Vasundhara Raje' drew loud applause from BJP workers, with party observers reading it as a deliberate signal of unity within the Rajasthan BJP.

An Industrial Milestone Overshadowed by Politics

The Pachpadra Refinery represents one of Rajasthan's most significant industrial investments, expected to drive employment generation, fuel supply, and economic transformation in the region. Yet the inauguration ceremony will be remembered as much for its political theatre as for its industrial significance. With both parties staking ownership of the project, the refinery has become a live symbol in Rajasthan's intensifying political contest — one that is unlikely to be resolved before the next state election cycle.