Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasra on 28 July announced that the Congress would reserve 50% of its tickets for young candidates in the upcoming Panchayat Raj and urban local body elections in Rajasthan, framing the move as a push to inject fresh leadership into grassroots governance. The announcement came at a workshop of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan held at the PCC headquarters in Jaipur.

Youth at the Centre of Congress Strategy

Addressing party workers, Dotasra said the decision would open doors for energetic and emerging leaders at the village, block, and ward levels. 'The Congress will give 50% of tickets to youth candidates in the Panchayat and urban body elections,' he said, positioning the move as a structural shift rather than a symbolic gesture. The announcement is aimed at strengthening Congress's organisational footprint ahead of what is expected to be a keenly contested round of local polls.

BJP Government Accused of Delaying Elections

Dotasra trained his guns on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Rajasthan, accusing it of deliberately stalling local body elections and undermining the Panchayati Raj system. He alleged the state government acted only after the Rajasthan High Court intervened to push the process forward. According to Dotasra, the delay cost Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies nearly ₹300 crore in combined Central and state grants. He further alleged that with elected representatives' terms having lapsed, administrative officers had taken charge of local bodies, creating conditions for increased corruption and stalled development in villages and towns.

Congress to Hold District-Level Mobilisation Until July 30

As part of its pre-poll groundwork, the Congress has planned intensive organisational meetings across all districts of Rajasthan through 30 July. The exercise is designed to mobilise party workers and reinforce the grassroots network ahead of the elections. This comes amid a broader Congress effort to rebuild its presence in Rajasthan after losing power in the 2023 state assembly elections.

Examination Irregularities and Ministerial Accountability

Dotasra also broadened his attack to cover the recurring controversy over competitive examination irregularities, including those linked to NEET. He alleged repeated paper leaks and exam fraud in 2024, 2025, and 2026, and accused both the Centre and the Rajasthan government of failing to act decisively. Citing the previous Congress government's record, he said Rajasthan had enacted a stringent anti-paper leak law and prosecuted those involved during its tenure. 'Had the Centre adopted the law brought by the Congress government in Rajasthan, the situation would not have reached a stage where the resignations of the Union Education Minister and the Rajasthan Education Minister are being demanded,' he said. The PCC chief specifically demanded the immediate resignation of Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar, holding him accountable for the alleged failures. With organisational meetings running through the end of July, Congress's next move will be watched closely as election dates draw nearer.