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Enquiry Clears Polling Officials in Gehlot Foot-Touching Row
A video showed people touching former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s feet at a polling station.
The BJP said one of them might be a government worker helping run the election.
Officials investigated the incident using reports, videos and CCTV footage.
They found that three people had touched Gehlot’s feet.
One was a voter, and two were election agents for an independent candidate.
None was part of the government polling team.
The administration therefore found no violation by election officials.
Congress welcomed the finding and said the BJP had made the incident political.
The BJP had earlier said such behavior could harm confidence in a fair election.
An enquiry found that three people who touched Ashok Gehlot’s feet at a Jodhpur polling station were not government officials on election duty.
The incident occurred at Vardhman Jain Vidyalaya during the 2026 Municipal Corporation elections.
Those involved were an ordinary voter and two authorised agents of independent candidate Prakash Bagoriya.
The BJP had alleged that a polling official showed deference to Gehlot and sought disciplinary action.
The district administration found no election-rule or Model Code of Conduct violation by government election staff.
- Who
- Ashok Gehlot, an ordinary voter, and two authorised agents of independent candidate Prakash Bagoriya were involved; the BJP raised the allegation and Congress welcomed the findings.
- What
- An enquiry determined that none of the three people who touched Gehlot’s feet was a government polling official on election duty.
- Where
- Vardhman Jain Vidyalaya polling station in the Mahamandir area of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
- When
- During the 2026 Municipal Corporation elections; the enquiry followed the circulation of photographs and videos later that day.
- Why
- The enquiry was ordered after the BJP alleged that a government election worker had shown political deference at the polling station.
BJP’s Allegation
Enquiry and Congress Response
Identity of the people involved
BJP’s Allegation
The BJP’s legal cell alleged that a government employee on election duty had touched or shown deference to Gehlot at the polling station.
Enquiry and Congress Response
The enquiry found that the three people were an ordinary voter and two authorised agents of independent candidate Prakash Bagoriya, not government polling officials.
Effect on election impartiality
BJP’s Allegation
The BJP argued that such conduct could undermine the impartiality of the electoral process and sought suspension and disciplinary proceedings.
Enquiry and Congress Response
The district administration found no violation by government election staff, while Congress said the incident involved members of the public and election agents.
Political significance
BJP’s Allegation
The BJP treated the footage as a matter requiring action at the polling station.
Enquiry and Congress Response
Congress described the foot-touching as an expression of respect for Gehlot and accused the BJP of giving the incident a political colour.
Key facts
- Election
- 2026 Municipal Corporation elections
- Polling station
- Vardhman Jain Vidyalaya, Mahamandir area, Jodhpur
- People identified
- Three people touched Gehlot’s feet
- People’s roles
- One voter and two authorised agents of independent candidate Prakash Bagoriya
- Evidence examined
- Sector Officer’s report, videography and CCTV footage
- Enquiry finding
- None of the three was a government polling-team member
- Administration’s conclusion
- No election-rule or Model Code of Conduct violation by a government employee
Sources
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