Vaishnaw joins Rajasthan CM Sharma in 'Save Democracy' march in Jaipur
Synopsis
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma led the BJP's 'Save Democracy, End Anarchy' padyatra through the streets of Jaipur, with Sharma directly challenging former CM Gehlot over alleged irregularities in the RPSC and Jal Jeevan Mission. The march signals an intensifying BJP counteroffensive in Rajasthan ahead of heightened political activity in the state.
Key Takeaways
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma led the BJP's 'Save Democracy, End Anarchy' padyatra in Jaipur on 5 November 2026 .
The march ran from New Gate to Tripolia Gate , following a public meeting at Ramlila Maidan .
CM Sharma challenged former CM Ashok Gehlot to disprove his claims, citing alleged irregularities in the RPSC and Jal Jeevan Mission .
Sharma referenced the arrests of Gehlot's PSO and an RPSC member in connection with separate cases during the previous Congress administration.
BJP State President Madan Rathore accused the Opposition of attempting to create unrest to regain power.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, 5 November 2026, joined Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in a padyatra (foot march) through Jaipur as part of the party's 'Save Democracy, End Anarchy' campaign. The march, which drew large crowds of BJP workers carrying party flags and raising slogans, proceeded from New Gate to Tripolia Gate following a public meeting at Ramlila Maidan.
Key Developments at the March
Vaishnaw opened on a personal note, underscoring his ties to the city. 'I have a deep connection with Jaipur. I was born and raised on this soil, and I am a son of this land,' he said, referring to his family's roots in the Rajasthan capital.
The event was attended by BJP State President Madan Rathore, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, state BJP in-charge Sanjay Bhatia, senior party leader Arun Chaturvedi, and Mayor Sunil Kothari, among others — a show of organisational strength ahead of what analysts expect will be an intensifying political contest in the state.
Sharma's Sharp Rebuttal to Gehlot
Chief Minister Sharma used the platform to launch a pointed counteroffensive against former Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot. Referencing his earlier address at a rally in Jodhpur, Sharma said: 'When I spoke at the Jodhpur rally, he became rattled, and he will be even more rattled now. I had promised that every question would be answered, and answered with full force. I challenge you to prove even one of my statements wrong.'
Sharma raised questions about alleged irregularities in the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) and the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), citing the reported arrest of an RPSC member and a minister in connection with separate cases. He also referred to the arrest of Gehlot's Personal Security Officer (PSO) and remarks allegedly made by his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) during the previous Congress administration.
'You are the one lying. If you are right, provide proof. Let us see who is lying and who is telling the truth,' Sharma said, adding that his government was focused on public welfare rather than political point-scoring.
Opposition Targeted Over Alleged Insults to National Symbols
BJP State President Madan Rathore accused the Opposition of being desperate to reclaim power, alleging it was attempting to create unrest to advance its political objectives. He also criticised the Congress leadership over its alleged association with individuals who, he claimed, had insulted Lord Ram, questioned national unity, and disrespected the national song.
Campaign Slogans and Wider Context
Party workers chanted slogans including 'Modi kahin nahin jayega' and 'Save Democracy, End Anarchy', and carried posters bearing the message: 'India will not tolerate the insult to its popular mandate.' The march is part of a broader BJP initiative framing itself as the defender of democratic institutions against what the party describes as a coordinated political assault on its public mandate.
This comes amid heightened political activity in Rajasthan, where the BJP has been in power since the December 2023 assembly elections and the Congress has stepped up its criticism of the Sharma government over governance and accountability issues. With both parties mobilising street-level support, Rajasthan's political temperature is set to rise further in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
End Anarchy' branding is strategically deliberate — it places the BJP in the role of constitutional defender rather than ruling incumbent, a framing that tends to energise the base. Sharma's direct, name-led challenge to Gehlot over RPSC and JJM arrests is an escalation of the accountability narrative the BJP has been building since taking power in December 2023, and it signals the party intends to keep the Congress on the back foot rather than govern quietly. What the mainstream coverage underplays is the significance of Vaishnaw's presence: a Union cabinet minister at a state-level padyatra suggests the Centre is treating Rajasthan's political consolidation as a national priority. The slogans — 'Modi kahin nahin jayega' alongside anti-anarchy messaging — also reveal a dual audience: reassuring the BJP faithful while attempting to discredit the Opposition's street-level mobilisation.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BJP's 'Save Democracy, End Anarchy' campaign in Rajasthan?
It is a BJP political campaign in Rajasthan aimed at defending what the party calls attacks on democratic institutions and the public mandate. The campaign involves rallies, padyatras, and public meetings, with the Jaipur march on 5 November 2026 being one of its prominent events.
Why did CM Bhajanlal Sharma target Ashok Gehlot at the Jaipur march?
Sharma challenged Gehlot to disprove his claims about alleged irregularities in the RPSC and the Jal Jeevan Mission, citing arrests made in connection with separate cases. He also referenced the arrest of Gehlot's PSO and remarks attributed to his OSD as evidence of misconduct during the previous Congress government.
Who attended the BJP padyatra in Jaipur on 5 November 2026?
The march was attended by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa, BJP State President Madan Rathore, state in-charge Sanjay Bhatia, senior leader Arun Chaturvedi, and Mayor Sunil Kothari, among other BJP leaders and workers.
What was the route of the Jaipur padyatra?
The foot march proceeded from New Gate to Tripolia Gate in Jaipur, following an earlier public meeting held at Ramlila Maidan.
What is the political context of this march in Rajasthan?
The BJP has governed Rajasthan since winning the December 2023 assembly elections under Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. The march reflects heightened political activity in the state, with the BJP mobilising street support while targeting the Congress over governance allegations from the previous administration.
