Ashok Gehlot warns of BJP police misuse ahead of Rajasthan Panchayat polls

What Happened

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said the BJP will repeat its "misuse of police and administration" in the upcoming Rajasthan Panchayati Raj elections, which are scheduled in four phases from Oct 22 to Nov 16. He posted the warning on X on Oct 12, 2026.

Reaction

Gehlot claimed the Congress performed well in recent urban local body polls, securing almost as many votes as the BJP, and stressed that the party’s traditional strength in rural areas will help it win. He described the election effort as a collective responsibility, saying he is speaking with public representatives and urging workers to visit villages, stay among people and expose what he called the BJP’s undemocratic activities. "When the people are with us, no administration or police can snatch their mandate," he added.

Context

Panchayati Raj elections are local body votes that decide leadership of village councils and block-level bodies across Indian states. They often serve as a barometer for the popularity of national parties ahead of larger state or national elections.