Is the BJP Government Violating Norms to Secure Local Body Elections?
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Synopsis
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot raises serious allegations against the Rajasthan government for purportedly violating electoral norms while reorganizing local governance. The accusations center on manipulative tactics by the BJP to secure local body elections, igniting public outrage and legal challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of electoral manipulation by the BJP government in Rajasthan.
- Concerns over reorganization of local bodies without public consent.
- Growing public discontent over the handling of local elections.
Jaipur, April 30 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asserted on Wednesday that the Rajasthan government is transgressing rules and engaging in misconduct while restructuring the Panchayati Raj institutions and urban bodies across the state. In a forthright post on social media, Gehlot lambasted the BJP and the RSS, accusing them of manipulating the electoral process to secure victories in the upcoming local body elections "by hook or crook".
He alleged that the government is unilaterally redrawing boundaries, breaching legal protocols, and dismissing public grievances.
In his Instagram message, Gehlot stated: “The BJP government in Rajasthan is recklessly reorganising Panchayati Raj and urban bodies. I have never witnessed such a blatant contempt for rules and regulations. Instead of addressing community concerns, district collectors claim they can't intervene, as all decisions are being made at the state level.”
He further accused the government of neglecting to conduct by-elections in various regions, including Bharatpur district, using the rationale of 'One State-One Election' to postpone elections even after terms have ended.
“Currently, in an attempt to cater to their voter base, they are disregarding established norms and public convenience. They are neither adhering to minimum and maximum population thresholds nor maintaining the necessary distance from administrative headquarters,” Gehlot remarked.
He highlighted specific irregularities, such as merging villages situated 10 kilometers from cities into urban bodies and placing villages into panchayats in a manner that positions the panchayat headquarters 5 to 10 kilometers away.
Gehlot concluded by emphasizing that public discontent is mounting due to these irregularities.
On Tuesday, the state government's decision to postpone municipal body elections was contested in the Rajasthan High Court.
A division bench, including Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Anand Sharma, reviewed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former MLA Sanyam Lodha and instructed the state government to provide a response within four weeks.
According to the petition, elections have not been held in 55 municipal bodies whose terms expired in November 2024. Instead, administrators have been appointed—an action the petitioner claims is unconstitutional and contravenes the Rajasthan Municipal Act, 2009.
Advocate Puneet Singhvi, representing Lodha, argued that the Supreme Court has established that local body elections can only be postponed under exceptional circumstances, such as natural disasters.
"There is no justification in the present situation. The government has failed to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities," Singhvi stated.
Point of View
It's crucial to balance allegations with evidence. Ashok Gehlot's claims highlight significant concerns regarding electoral integrity in Rajasthan. It remains to be seen how the courts will respond to these challenges, but the public's trust in governance is at stake.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What allegations did Ashok Gehlot make against the BJP government?
Gehlot accused the BJP government of violating electoral norms and engaging in irregularities in the reorganization of local bodies to secure electoral victories.
What specific irregularities were pointed out by Gehlot?
Gehlot highlighted issues such as arbitrary boundary changes, failure to conduct by-elections, and merging distant villages into urban bodies.
What was the response of the Rajasthan High Court to the government's decision?
The Rajasthan High Court is reviewing a petition challenging the government's decision to postpone municipal body elections and has instructed the state to respond.
