Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Madan Rathore on Tuesday, 13 October launched a sharp attack on both the Congress party and its internal faultlines, alleging that former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was deliberately working to damage the reputations of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge — ostensibly to strengthen his own bid for the top party post.

Rathore's Allegation Against Gehlot

Speaking to reporters in Jaipur, Rathore questioned whether Gehlot's public remarks were motivated by personal ambition rather than party loyalty. 'He asked whether Gehlot's position was intended to damage the public image of Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, thereby improving his own prospects of becoming the Congress Chief,' according to the BJP leader's statement. Rathore also referred to Gehlot's earlier claim that Sachin Pilot had prevented him from assuming a national leadership role — a reference to longstanding internal Congress tensions in Rajasthan.

Rahul Gandhi's Conduct Under Attack

Rathore separately criticised Rahul Gandhi's conduct during recent protests, alleging that his behaviour towards women police personnel and female journalists was inappropriate. He argued that the role of Leader of Opposition carried a constitutional significance that demanded a higher standard of public conduct. 'We have also spent years in the Opposition, but we upheld democratic standards. The manner in which democratic decorum is being undermined today is a matter of concern,' Rathore said. He added that freedom of expression, while fundamental to democracy, must be exercised within the bounds of democratic decorum.

Swipe at Dotasara and Congress Organisation

Turning his attention to Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara, Rathore said the leader was 'indulging in wishful thinking.' He alleged more broadly that the Congress had weakened itself by relying too heavily on bureaucrats rather than grassroots party workers. 'The BJP conducts politics on the strength of its workers, its mass base, ideology, policies and record of development,' he said. He dismissed Opposition allegations about the state's law and order situation, asserting that the BJP government was taking impartial action in all criminal cases and that no individual — regardless of influence — would be shielded.

BJP's Panchayat Election Strategy

Rathore outlined the party's groundwork for the upcoming Rajasthan Panchayat elections, noting that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and other senior leaders had already toured multiple districts to engage voters. He said party workers, MLAs, MPs, and local representatives were actively communicating the state government's development and welfare record to constituents. While acknowledging that a multi-phase electoral process could constrain the availability of senior campaigners, Rathore expressed confidence that the BJP's organisational depth would compensate. The party, he added, had selected candidates after a careful assessment of public expectations and individual suitability. Workers who did not receive tickets would be channelled into other organisational roles.

What Comes Next

The BJP chief's remarks add fresh political heat to what has been an increasingly fractious public discourse around Congress's internal leadership dynamics ahead of the Panchayat polls. Whether Gehlot responds publicly — and how the Congress high command manages its Rajasthan unit going into the local body cycle — will be the key political variable to watch in the coming days.