Jaipur, Apr 1 (PTI) The Congress on Wednesday launched a statewide campaign in Rajasthan targeting the BJP government over the delay in holding local body and panchayat elections, alleging that postponement of polls amounts to an “attack on democracy”.
Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasra announced the ‘Organisation Expansion — Save Democracy’ campaign, under which the party aims to appoint around five lakh office-bearers and strengthen its grassroots structure across urban wards and gram panchayats.
Addressing reporters here, Dotasra alleged that the state government has deliberately delayed municipal and panchayat polls despite most local bodies completing their terms and is running them through administrators.
“The government has not conducted elections and is giving excuses. This is against democratic principles,” he said, adding that the issue reflects a broader concern about weakening of local governance.
He also cited court directions, claiming that the Rajasthan High Court had asked the government to conduct elections before April 15, and warned of contempt proceedings if the order is not complied with.
The Congress leader alleged that delays in the OBC Commission report are being used as a pretext to defer elections, even though, he claimed, legal provisions do not mandate postponement of polls on this ground alone.
Dostara said the party would submit a memorandum to the Election Commission seeking polls based on an updated voter list, and may approach the court if its demand is not met.
The 30-day campaign will include public outreach, protests and meetings at block and district levels, as the party seeks to build pressure on the state government ahead of the pending local body elections. PTI AG PRK
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