Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday, 28 October publicly urged the Congress party to introspect over its string of electoral defeats rather than blame external factors, while sharply criticising Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late father. Sharma made these comments during a morning walk at Jaipur's Central Park, speaking to the media in an unusually candid outdoor setting.

Call for Congress Self-Assessment

Sharma urged the opposition party to honestly evaluate its leadership quality, organisational weaknesses, and how well its leaders connect with ordinary citizens. 'The Congress should identify its own shortcomings. No one else can correct your weaknesses for you. Go among the people and earn a place in their hearts. Mutual allegations and counter-allegations will achieve nothing,' he said.

He further pointed out that Congress has suffered repeated electoral reverses over an extended period and needs to examine the structural causes behind those setbacks rather than seeking external explanations. This is a charge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has levelled at the Congress consistently since the party's back-to-back general election defeats in 2019 and 2024.

Sharma Condemns Kharge's Remarks on Modi's Late Father

Reacting strongly to Congress president Kharge's recent comments referencing Prime Minister Modi's late father, Sharma called such language unacceptable in political discourse. 'I want to tell the Congress national president that such language has no place in politics. I condemn it in the strongest terms. No one has the right to make such remarks about the deceased parents of anyone, regardless of who they are,' the Chief Minister said.

Notably, remarks involving the deceased relatives of political opponents have repeatedly sparked controversy across party lines in recent years, and Sharma's condemnation aligns with broader criticism the BJP has directed at the Congress over what it characterises as a pattern of personal attacks.

EVM Allegations and Appeasement Politics

Sharma also accused Congress of habitually challenging the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and raising concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls only after losing elections. He argued that such deflections cannot substitute for genuine internal course-correction.

He further alleged that Congress repeatedly plays to appeasement politics and spreads unsubstantiated allegations, urging its leaders to exercise greater judgement and work in the national interest instead.

BJP Confident in Rajasthan Panchayat Elections

Turning to state affairs, Sharma expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a commanding majority in the ongoing Rajasthan Panchayat elections. He also referenced the state government's 'One State, One Election' initiative, recalling that the proposal had faced criticism when it was first announced but had since progressed — with local body elections already concluded and Panchayat elections now underway.

'We have full faith in the people of Rajasthan. The BJP will win with a massive majority in the Panchayat elections,' Sharma said. He added that the BJP government, operating under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, remained focused on the welfare of the poor, farmers, and labourers.

Following his walk, Sharma interacted with members of the public over tea at Central Park — an informal outreach that reflects the party's push to maintain grassroots visibility as polling-related activity intensifies across the state.