Jaipur, April 8 (NationPress) Senior Congress figure Ashok Gehlot has criticized the BJP-led government in Rajasthan, stating it is steering the state into a "constitutional crisis" by neglecting to hold elections for Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies for more than a year. In a pointed statement, Gehlot asserted that this delay and the appointment of bureaucrats instead of elected officials highlight an "undemocratic mindset", which he claims is a direct attack on democratic institutions.

According to Gehlot, the inability to conduct timely elections is not simply an administrative oversight but a breach of constitutional mandates. He noted that Articles 243E and 243U clearly stipulate five-year terms and the necessity of timely elections for both Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies, while Article 243K assigns this duty to an independent State Election Commission.

He emphasized, "When a government systematically violates Articles 243E, 243U, and 243K of the Constitution, restricts the citizens' voting rights for over a year, and ignores the clear orders from the Court, it transcends mere administrative failure and signifies a definitive instance of 'Constitutional Breakdown'."

Gehlot further accused the state government of attempting to delay elections under various pretexts such as delimitation, reorganization, and the 'One State, One Election' initiative, despite the Supreme Court's ruling in the Vikas Kishanrao Gawali (2021) case, which declared that such justifications cannot postpone elections.

He highlighted that even after repeated directives from the Rajasthan High Court in 2025, the government has failed to comply. "The Rajasthan High Court issued multiple orders in February, March, and November 2025, yet the government ignored them each time. Ultimately, the Court set a firm deadline of April 15, 2026, while also upholding this directive through the dismissal of a Special Leave Petition (SLP), indicating the judiciary's unequivocal stance. However, the government's lack of seriousness remains apparent," he stated.

Gehlot warned that even after the final deadline of April 15, 2026, was established and the Supreme Court supported the order by dismissing the SLP, the government's indifference is striking.

Describing the situation as a "constitutional breakdown", Gehlot asserted that the prolonged denial of voting rights and dismissal of judicial orders jeopardize the essence of democracy. "The principles of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which advocate for decentralization and local self-governance, are being undermined. Democracy entails not merely wielding power but also being accountable to the Constitution," he remarked.

Gehlot firmly stated that the people of Rajasthan “will not passively tolerate the infringement of their rights.”