BJP ready for Rajasthan Panchayat polls, Rathore targets Congress infighting
Synopsis
Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Rathore has declared full poll readiness ahead of Panchayat and local body elections, backed by an 80%-plus by-election win rate and a booth-level organisation. But the more pointed message was directed inward at the Congress — where he alleges a three-way factional war between Dotasra, Gehlot, and Pilot is leaving the Opposition too preoccupied to challenge the BJP on governance.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore declared the party fully prepared for upcoming Panchayat and local body elections on 2 August .
BJP has won more than 80 per cent of seats in by-elections held so far, including in Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra's own Assembly constituency.
Rathore said the BJP's campaign will centre on a development roadmap for Panchayats and urban local bodies under CM Bhajan Lal Sharma .
He alleged deepening Congress infighting involving Dotasra , former CM Ashok Gehlot , LoP Tika Ram Jully , and Sachin Pilot .
Rathore accused Congress of a double standard on examination paper leaks, citing Gehlot's failure to curb the problem during his tenure.
BJP reiterated its stance against illegal benefits, including for its own members, and questioned legislators claiming OBC reservation under the creamy layer.
Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Madan Rathore declared on Saturday, 2 August that the party is fully prepared for the upcoming Panchayat and local body elections in Rajasthan, citing a booth-level organisational structure and a development-first campaign strategy. Rathore expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a decisive victory, pointing to the party's track record in recent by-elections.
Booth-Level Strength and By-Election Record
Rathore stated that responsibilities have been assigned to every party worker down to the booth level, calling the organisational groundwork thorough and complete. He noted that the BJP has won more than 80 per cent of the seats in by-elections held so far in the state, including a local body by-election in the Assembly constituency of State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra — a result he described as particularly symbolic.
Development Roadmap at the Core of Campaign
The BJP president said Panchayat and local body elections are fundamentally driven by local needs and public expectations. Accordingly, he said the party will anchor its campaign on a comprehensive development roadmap for Panchayats and urban local bodies for the coming term. He listed the BJP government's ongoing initiatives under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, including the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), the Yamuna water project, additional water allocation from the Narmada, self-reliance in power generation, industrial development, the refinery project, employment creation, financial turnaround of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, and tougher action against criminals.
Rathore Targets Congress Over Internal Rivalries
Rathore trained his sights on what he described as deepening factionalism within the Indian National Congress (Congress). He alleged that personal ambitions inside the party have reached a level that is increasingly difficult to contain. He recalled that similar internal tensions had earlier led to senior leader Sachin Pilot being labelled 'Nakara' and 'Nikamma', triggering visible divisions within the party.
Rathore further alleged that Dotasra — who rose to the position of State Congress President with the backing of a particular leadership — is now attempting to sideline that very leadership. He also claimed that Dotasra is uncomfortable with the growing political stature of Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, while simultaneously seeking to diminish the influence of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Comparing the Congress's internal contest to a 'Jalebi race', Rathore remarked that Jully is currently leading within the party, while Pilot is allegedly waiting for the conflict between the two senior leaders to intensify before making his move.
Examination Paper Leaks: BJP Alleges Congress Double Standard
On the issue of examination paper leaks, Rathore alleged that former Chief Minister Gehlot had made several attempts to address the problem during his tenure but failed. He recalled Gehlot's own statement alleging that groups of youths had conspired to leak examination papers. He also referenced Dotasra's remark — 'Do I conduct the examinations?' — and pointed out that both Gehlot and Dotasra had previously demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over similar issues, calling it a double standard. Rathore asserted that the BJP does not support securing illegal benefits for anyone, including the children of its own leaders or workers, and questioned the eligibility of legislators to claim OBC reservation benefits if they fall under the creamy layer.
BJP's Stated Focus Going Forward
Rathore said the BJP remains firmly focused on strengthening its organisation and empowering its workers, contrasting this with what he characterised as Congress leaders being preoccupied with internal rivalries rather than public concerns. He added that Congress leaders oppose the BJP simply because of their position in the Opposition, remarking that praising the BJP's work would, in his words, 'shut down their political shop.' As Rajasthan's Panchayat and local body elections draw closer, the BJP's booth-level mobilisation and development narrative will face their first major test against a Congress that is visibly managing multiple internal fault lines.
Point of View
But local body elections carry distinct dynamics: local grievances, caste arithmetic, and anti-incumbency at the ward level can override state-level narratives. The BJP's development checklist — ERCP, Narmada water, the refinery project — remains aspirational for many constituencies where project timelines are contested. If the Congress manages even a temporary truce between Dotasra, Gehlot, and Pilot, the BJP's strategy of letting the Opposition implode could lose its sharpest edge.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BJP prepared for Rajasthan Panchayat and local body elections?
Yes, according to Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore, the party is fully prepared with responsibilities assigned to every worker down to the booth level. Rathore expressed confidence in a decisive victory, citing the BJP's record of winning more than 80 per cent of by-election seats in the state.
What is the BJP's campaign strategy for Rajasthan local body elections?
The BJP plans to campaign on a development roadmap for Panchayats and urban local bodies, centred on projects such as the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), the Yamuna water project, industrial development, and employment creation under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
What did Madan Rathore say about Congress infighting in Rajasthan?
Rathore alleged that personal ambitions within the Congress have become difficult to contain, pointing to a three-way rivalry involving State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully. He also claimed Sachin Pilot is waiting for the conflict to intensify before making his move.
What is the Congress's position on examination paper leaks in Rajasthan?
Rathore accused the Congress of double standards on the issue, alleging that former CM Gehlot failed to resolve paper leaks during his own tenure, while both Gehlot and Dotasra had demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over similar problems.
What is the BJP's stance on OBC reservation and the creamy layer?
Rathore reiterated that the BJP believes in the rule of law and equal application of the law, opposing the extension of benefits through unlawful means. He specifically questioned the eligibility of legislators to claim OBC reservation benefits if they fall under the creamy layer.
