Jaipur, June 17 (IANS) Though the next Rajasthan Assembly elections are still nearly two-and-a-half years away, the intensity of political activity in the state is creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an election season. Sharp verbal attacks, counterattacks, and protests by leaders across party lines have raised questions about whether Rajasthan has entered election mode much earlier than usual.

The latest flashpoint is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Kota, where he will launch the party’s nationwide “Chhatron Ki Goonj” (Students’ Echo) campaign on Wednesday. By choosing Rajasthan’s coaching hub as the starting point, the Congress is seeking to expand the education debate beyond recurring issues such as paper leaks and recruitment irregularities.

Even before Rahul Gandhi’s arrival, political temperatures have risen. Congress leaders alleged that posters related to Gandhi’s visit were removed, a charge rejected by the BJP, which described the visit as “political tourism” rather than a serious public outreach programme.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan politics has witnessed a renewed war of words between former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot.

Gehlot revived memories of the 2020 Manesar political crisis and the September 2022 episode and termed it as a conspiracy to stop him from contesting the Congress president’s election. He maintained that the rebellion during that period was directed against Sachin Pilot.

Responding from Dausa, Pilot remarked that one can judge whether a person is speaking the truth by looking directly into their eyes. However, both leaders later attempted to soften the tone. Pilot said Gehlot treats him like his son, Vaibhav, while Gehlot recalled watching Pilot grow up and spoke about the long-standing ties between their families.

The political exchanges did not stop there. Gehlot subsequently targeted Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who responded by reviving the phone-tapping controversy. Adding another dimension to the issue, Gehlot’s former Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Lokesh Sharma, also levelled allegations regarding phone surveillance during the previous Congress government.

Meanwhile, RLP convenor and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal is also attacking Congress and BJP on burning issues and has been seen participating in different protests in the state.

Meanwhile, speaking about the changing nature of politics, several leaders suggested that the electoral landscape is evolving. According to them, maintaining visibility in public discourse and narratives has become as important as traditional booth-level organisation.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said political warfare, much like modern warfare, has changed significantly due to technology. He argued that leaders must remain connected with people on every issue and engage continuously with public concerns.

He further stated that society as a whole must identify and expose those behind such conspiracies, ensuring that their intentions are laid bare before the nation and the world.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, however, defended his interventions in public debates. He argued that opposition leaders have a responsibility to speak on every major issue and keep citizens informed. “It has become mandatory for us to speak on every issue because people need to be made aware. Democracy is slowly being weakened, and it is our duty to stand with the public and make them aware of every development,” Gehlot told IANS.

Against this backdrop, Rahul Gandhi’s decision to launch a nationwide campaign from Kota appears politically significant. The Congress is seeking to build momentum on issues concerning students and youth, while simultaneously sharpening its attack on the BJP government.

Similarly, the BJP is also strengthening its ground work by organising Gram Chaupals. Further, the appointment of Ajaey Kumar as organisational general secretary also hints at election preparedness well in advance. Whether these developments reflect routine political positioning or the early signs of an electoral battle remains to be seen.

However, the intensity of the rhetoric, the revival of old rivalries, and the increasing frequency of public mobilisations suggest that Rajasthan’s political landscape is already beginning to resemble an election season.

–IANS

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