Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra on Tuesday, 17 June launched a sharp counterattack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that party workers and local authorities had removed Rahul Gandhi's posters and banners ahead of Gandhi's scheduled visit to Kota — and warned that a charter aircraft had been kept on standby as a contingency if Gandhi's train was deliberately delayed.

The Kota Visit and Congress Preparations

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled to visit Kota on 17 June to interact with students and youth on issues including the NEET paper leak controversy, unemployment, and examination-related stress. Congress workers have been making extensive preparations for the event, which is expected to draw a large turnout from the student community.

Dotasra alleged that local authorities were systematically pulling down Congress campaign material ahead of the visit. 'If the train gets delayed, the programme schedule could be affected. Therefore, a Plan B has been arranged. Whether Rahul Gandhi arrives by train or charter, the programme will take place as scheduled,' he said.

Congress on Paper Leaks: 'We Acted, BJP Deflects'

Responding to BJP leaders who questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence during paper leak incidents that occurred under the previous Congress government in Rajasthan, Dotasra said the comparison was misplaced. 'When paper leaks occurred during our tenure, we acted. We brought in a strict law with provisions for life imprisonment. Former Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara was jailed during our government's tenure. The BJP deserves no credit for that,' he told reporters in Kota.

He claimed that during the Congress government's crackdown, RPSC members and 272 accused were sent to jail. He also drew a sharp distinction between government accountability and political whataboutery: 'If a crime or rape happened during a previous government, does that mean the present government will do the same? Is that any kind of answer?'

Demand for Union Education Minister's Resignation

Targeting the Centre over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) controversy, Dotasra demanded accountability from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 'The National Testing Agency was created by the BJP government. The NEET paper has been leaking for three years. Why hasn't Dharmendra Pradhan resigned? Why is the Union government not ordering a judicial inquiry or a Parliamentary committee investigation?' he asked.

He alleged that Pradhan had repeatedly failed to reassure students despite mounting controversies surrounding national-level examinations. Dotasra said Gandhi's Kota interaction was aimed at channelling student concerns directly into Parliament. 'Rahul Gandhi will listen to students and youth and take their issues to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Finding permanent solutions to these problems is the objective,' he added.

BJP's Election Promise Under Scrutiny

Dotasra also reminded the BJP of its pre-election rhetoric. 'During the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly said Rajasthan had been ruined by the paper leak mafia. The BJP came to power on that issue. Now it is their responsibility to ensure such incidents do not happen,' he said.

He also took a swipe at senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore, who has been attacking Congress over the Kota event, questioning why the party had fielded him as its principal spokesperson. 'Rathore has already lost everything politically, yet he is being pushed forward to defend the party,' Dotasra remarked.

What Comes Next

The war of words between the Congress and BJP has intensified ahead of Gandhi's high-profile Kota visit, with both parties seeking to frame the debate around paper leaks, student welfare, and accountability. The NEET examination is scheduled for 21 June, adding urgency to the political battle over the issue.