Gehlot warns Congress on potential police misuse in Rajasthan village polls

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has sounded an alert to Congress party functionaries in Rajasthan, asking them to stay watchful for any potential misuse of state police and administrative apparatus by the opposition BJP during the forthcoming panchayat elections.

The panchayat elections in Rajasthan will be conducted across four phases, beginning October 22 and concluding by November 16. The staggered polling schedule covers villages across the state, with counting of votes expected after the final phase.

Gehlot's warning reflects concerns within the Congress about the use of state machinery during electoral processes. The party has historically cited instances of administrative pressure during polls, a charge consistently denied by the BJP.

The panchayat elections are significant in the state's political landscape, as local governance bodies serve as crucial platforms for grassroots political engagement. With state assembly elections scheduled for later periods, the performance in village-level polls often provides indicators of ground sentiment ahead of larger electoral contests.

The Election Commission is expected to enforce a comprehensive code of conduct applicable to all contesting parties and government officials to ensure free and fair polling during the four-phase exercise.