Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday, 26 June publicly questioned the alleged five-year halt in the Barmer Refinery project, raising sharp accountability questions ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to inaugurate the facility. Gehlot charged that the delay during the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Rajasthan caused the project's estimated cost to balloon from roughly ₹37,000 crore to over ₹80,000 crore.

The Cost Escalation Controversy

Addressing reporters in Jaipur, Gehlot said the refinery represents a defining development milestone for Rajasthan and demanded answers on who bore responsibility for the cost overrun. 'My question remains the same: why was work on the refinery halted for five years during the BJP's previous tenure? The Prime Minister and the NDA government should answer this. The refinery's estimated cost rose from around ₹37,000 crore to more than ₹80,000 crore because of the delay. The people of Rajasthan deserve to know who is responsible for this cost escalation and the financial loss caused by postponing the project,' he said.

Gehlot also objected to reports that Modi would hold a meeting inside the refinery complex rather than address a large public gathering. 'This project is a major milestone for Rajasthan, and it deserves a proper public inauguration,' he added.

Origins of the Barmer Refinery

Gehlot traced the project's genesis to the Congress government's response to oil discoveries in Barmer, crediting former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi with facilitating the formation of the refinery company through coordination between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Rajasthan state government. He argued the project's roots were firmly Congress-driven and that the BJP inherited — and then, he alleged, stalled — a functioning initiative.

Rahul Gandhi's Two Years as LoP

Separately, Gehlot marked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi completing two years as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, describing the tenure as 'historic.' He said Gandhi had consistently raised questions over the Centre's policies inside and outside Parliament and had effectively championed the causes of farmers, labourers, youth, and the poor. Gehlot also credited Gandhi with spearheading a nationwide movement on the NEET examination controversy.

Allegations Against Dotasra and BJP's Counter-Charges

Gehlot dismissed allegations levelled by BJP leader and Rajasthan Minister Kirodi Lal Meena against State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra as 'baseless' and 'politically motivated.' He argued that accusations without factual backing were unacceptable and alleged that Dotasra was being deliberately targeted as part of a political conspiracy to damage the Congress's standing in Rajasthan.

Criticising the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP state government, Gehlot claimed Rajasthan was witnessing widespread public dissatisfaction due to administrative failures, stalled development works, and rising corruption. He also alleged that several newly constructed hospital buildings were lying underutilised owing to a shortage of doctors and medical equipment.

The 10 Janpath Meeting Clarified

On speculation about his visit to 10 Janpath in New Delhi, Gehlot clarified that it was a routine meeting of the Rajiv Gandhi National Relief and Welfare Society — institutional in nature and unrelated to Rajasthan Congress organisational matters or any political developments. As Modi's inauguration of the Barmer Refinery draws closer, the political battle over credit and accountability for the project is set to intensify.