Jaipur, Aug 25 (IANS) Udaipur City BJP MLA Tarachand Jain on Tuesday sparked controversy ahead of the civic elections in Rajasthan by referring to Khanjipir and Ayad areas of Udaipur as “Mini Pakistan” during a party workers’ conference.

Speaking at the BJP’s rural assembly constituency workers’ conference in Udaipur, Jain claimed these areas had previously been havens for criminals, where notorious offenders sought shelter.

He said the situation has improved due to strengthened police and administrative systems.

Jain described Khanjipir as one of the main routes into Udaipur city, along with the railway station route. He said the area had earlier developed a reputation for criminal activity, leading to it being called “Mini Pakistan.”

He added that establishing a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) office in the area had strengthened police presence and improved law and order.

Referring to crime statistics, Jain claimed that data from the Khanjipir police post over the past decade would show crimes from the area accounted for around 25 per cent of total cases. He said similar conditions had existed in Ayad but asserted that the situation there was also improving.

The MLA presented the improvement in both areas as an achievement of the BJP government, attributing it to stronger policing. His remarks came during a day of BJP organisational meetings in Udaipur, with the rural workers’ conference held in the morning and the city unit’s conference in the evening as the party prepares for municipal elections.

During his address, Jain also mentioned Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, saying he had recently welcomed him as part of protocol. According to Jain, Kataria appreciated development work at Mukherjee Chowk, remarking that projects once considered difficult had now been completed.

Jain also targeted the Congress party over the upcoming municipal elections, claiming it would not cross double digits in the city and asserting that the BJP was in a strong position.

On ticket distribution, he told party workers that the party would consider representation from different communities and workers’ views while finalising candidates.

–IANS

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