Rajasthan assembly elections 2023: BJP, Congress trade barbs on last day of campaign

Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta stated that campaigning for the state Assembly elections will end at 6 pm on Novemebr 23.

Hours ahead of curtains closing on the election campaign for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly polls, BJP and Congress brass addressed rallies across the state on November 23.

While addressing a rally in Deogarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the state had never seen a more “anti-women"” government than the current Congress regime. “The way our daughters, sisters and mothers have lifted the flag of BJP is worth appreciation. I have seen this in the entire state. The women in Rajasthan are not ready to tolerate Congress even for a moment. Rajasthan has not seen any government that has done more atrocities on women than the present government,” he said.

In a reference to Congress leader Sachin Pilot and his late father Rajesh Pilot, the PM said a Gurjar's son, who gave his life to the Congress, was removed like a fly from milk after the party came to power in Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, during a press conference in Jaipur, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, said the people of Rajasthan have made up their mind to bid adieu to the Congress regime.

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“Rajasthan has always supported the Bharatiya Janata Party by standing with Modi ji. In the last five years, Congress has introduced the politics of nepotism, corruption and appeasement. The people of Rajasthan are very troubled by this. At the same time, BJP's Narendra Modi government has provided direct benefits of central schemes to crores of beneficiaries in Rajasthan in a transparent manner, which seems to be giving direct results in Rajasthan,” he said.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot are also slated to address multiple Congress rallies across the state. Gehlot on November 23 demanded a probe by a retired Supreme Court judge into the conspiracies behind the Mahadev betting app case and the “red diary” purportedly containing details of corruption. “They (BJP) thought it would become a big issue if the Prime Minister spoke about it. Similarly, the Mahadev app case… ED (Enforcement Directorate) issued a press note; no investigation was done. The Prime Minister was speaking about it. The whole conspiracy was to arrest the Chhattisgarh chief minister but they got exposed,” he said.

BJP's manifesto for the state focused on investigating corruption, women welfare schemes and transforming the state into a $350-billion economy. The manifesto also promised to further reduce gas cylinder prices to Rs 450. On the other hand, the Congress' state manifesto promised to reduce cylinder prices further to Rs 400, while also focussing on agriculture, employment, and women welfare schemes.

Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta stated that campaigning for the state Assembly elections will end at 6 pm on November 23 and no public meeting or procession can be held after that.