2 hrs ago
Rajasthan Congress Alleges BJP Used Machinery to Track Candidates
Rajasthan Congress says government officials were asked to collect names of people who might contest local elections.
The information reportedly covered candidates for several village and district-level positions.
The forms also asked for details about candidates’ work and political backgrounds.
Congress leader Govind Singh Dotasra said this could be used to pressure or stop opposition candidates.
He asked the government and Election Commission to explain the purpose of the data collection.
The Rajasthan Election Commission said it had not received a complaint yet.
Its secretary said the matter would be investigated if a complaint was submitted.
BJP leader Madan Rathore said Congress was making contradictory claims about elections.
Opposition leader Tika Ram Jully said the alleged collection showed the government feared losing the polls.
Rajasthan Congress alleged that district collectors sought information on probable candidates for upcoming Panchayati Raj elections.
The requested Excel sheets reportedly included candidates’ names, constituencies, reserved categories, and political or personal details.
Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra accused the BJP government of using administrative machinery to target potential Congress candidates.
The Rajasthan Election Commission secretary said no complaint had been received but promised an investigation if one was filed.
BJP state president Madan Rathore rejected Congress’s broader claims of election-process misuse, while Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully backed the allegations.
- Who
- Rajasthan Congress, led by Govind Singh Dotasra, made the allegations against the BJP-led state government; BJP state president Madan Rathore and Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully also commented.
- What
- Congress alleged that district collectors asked returning officers to provide information on probable candidates for Panchayati Raj elections.
- Where
- Rajasthan, through the state’s district administration and election officials.
- When
- The allegations were reported on Wednesday; the letter cited a submission deadline of 28 September 2026 at 5 p.m.
- Why
- Congress said the information could be used to target, intimidate, or prevent opposition candidates from contesting; the Election Commission said it would investigate if a complaint was received.
Congress and Opposition Allegations
BJP and Election Commission Responses
Purpose of candidate information
Congress and Opposition Allegations
Congress said the data collection could help the BJP government identify and target likely Congress candidates through threats, notices, old cases, or other government action.
BJP and Election Commission Responses
The Election Commission secretary said no complaint had been received and did not confirm the alleged purpose of the request; BJP state president Madan Rathore focused on rejecting broader claims of election-process misuse.
Use of government machinery
Congress and Opposition Allegations
Govind Singh Dotasra said the state administrative system was being treated like a BJP election office and demanded an immediate investigation and public clarification.
BJP and Election Commission Responses
Madan Rathore argued that Congress’s claims were contradictory, saying the party credited itself when it won and blamed electronic voting machines, the Election Commission, or government machinery when it lost.
Meaning for the upcoming polls
Congress and Opposition Allegations
Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully said the alleged lists showed that the government feared defeat and warned that voters would not be intimidated.
BJP and Election Commission Responses
The Election Commission said it would examine the issue if a formal complaint was submitted, while no official confirmation of wrongdoing was reported in the article.
Key facts
- Alleged data requested
- Names of possible Zila Pramukh, Pradhan, Zila Parishad member, and Panchayat Samiti member candidates.
- Additional details
- The form reportedly sought reserved categories and a special-mention field covering notable work or political background.
- Officials involved
- District collectors, who also serve as district electoral officers, were said to have sought the information from returning officers.
- Congress accuser
- Govind Singh Dotasra, Rajasthan Congress president.
- Election Commission response
- Secretary Rajesh Verma said no complaint had been received and that an investigation could follow if one was filed.
- BJP response
- State president Madan Rathore said Congress made contradictory claims about election results and alleged misuse.
- Submission deadline
- 5 p.m. on 28 September 2026, according to the letter quoted in the report.
Quotes
Govind Singh Dotasra
Rajasthan Congress state president
“At your behest, a dishonest officer ensconced in the CMO is issuing these orders in the arrogance of power, but you seem to forget that the state’s administrative machinery is not your party’s election office, tasked with keeping tabs on potential candidates from any party and reporting on them.”
indianexpress.com
“There is a clear contradiction in Congress’s statements. On one hand, Congress leaders claim they lagged behind the BJP by only a few votes (in urban local body polls), while on the other, they level allegations on the election process and misuse of power.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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