BJP Mobilizes Senior Leaders to Counter Gehlot's 'Intezaar Shastra' Campaign in Rajasthan
Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot's ongoing "Intezaar Shastra" series has escalated into a significant political confrontation in Rajasthan, triggering an aggressive and coordinated response from the BJP's top leadership. What began as a series of social media posts highlighting alleged delays and governance gaps has now transformed into a sustained narrative battle, with the ruling party mobilizing its senior figures to counter Gehlot's claims.
BJP Leaders Dismiss Campaign as "Expression of Frustration"
On the 13th day of the series, Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari labeled Gehlot's campaign an "expression of frustration" aimed at reclaiming political space after his party's defeat in the state. Tiwari emphasized that the term "Shastra" should not be used lightly, stating, "There are traditionally 64 shastras. Associating such a sacred word with 'Intezaar' is inappropriate. At best, this is an 'izhar' — an expression of frustration."
Allegations of Governance Failures Under Gehlot Regime
Tiwari launched a sharp attack on Gehlot's governance record, alleging that issues like repeated paper leaks during recruitment exams had "betrayed the youth" of Rajasthan. He claimed that key projects, including the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project and the Yamuna water agreement, were delayed under the Congress government. Listing what he termed as "failures" of the Gehlot regime, Tiwari said, "Youth were waiting for jobs, students were waiting for an end to paper leaks, women for safety, farmers for protection of land and the public for relief from corruption."
Coordinated BJP Response Indicates Serious Political Stakes
Tiwari's remarks are part of a broader, coordinated BJP response, signaling that Gehlot's campaign is being taken seriously at the highest levels. In addition to Tiwari, other prominent BJP figures have joined the fray:
- Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has publicly responded to the allegations.
- Former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has contributed to the counter-narrative.
- Cabinet ministers, including Jogaram Patel and Jawahar Singh Bedam, have voiced their criticisms.
- State party chief Madan Rathore has also engaged in the political discourse.
Gehlot Maintains Stance Amid BJP Attacks
In response to the BJP's aggressive attacks, Gehlot has maintained that the ruling party has failed to counter his claims on factual grounds. He continues to assert that his "Intezaar Shastra" series highlights genuine governance issues and delays that need addressing, reinforcing the ongoing political tension in the state.
