Jaipur: A political war of words simmered over in Rajasthan Sunday as Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma targeted former chief minister Ashok Gehlot over his ongoing ‘Intezar Shastra’ (waiting doctrine) — a series of critical tweets and social media releases centred on incomplete developmental projects across the state. This came even as Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully accused the BJP govt of promoting dynastic politics in recent appointments to the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).Addressing a gathering in Jamwaramgarh after listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio show, Sharma said Gehlot’s ‘Intezar Shastra’ presents a selective narrative. “You are speaking of Intezar Shastra, but you should first examine your own history — what you did and what the people of Rajasthan went through during your tenure,” Sharma said.Gehlot’s seven-part series (till Sunday) has drawn political attention, raising issues such as delays in developing a coaching hub, setting up premier educational institutions, inadequate sporting infrastructure, and under-construction hospitals. The controversy escalated further on March 26 when Gehlot, speaking to reporters, questioned the conduct of politicians’ children while responding to a query related to a controversy involving a BJP MLA’s son.Responding to the remarks, Sharma said, “There is a race within the Congress these days — some are becoming ‘Twitter masters’. Ask the people of Rajasthan what situation you created”.Taking a broader dig at the series, the chief minister added: “You talk of Intezar Shastra — instead, look at the ‘scripture of lies’ and the ‘scripture of corruption’ under your govt”. Sharma further targeted the Congress leadership over alleged dynastic politics, referring to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. “I sympathise with you because you and Sonia Gandhi have repeatedly tried to launch your sons politically. Sonia Gandhi has launched Rahul Gandhi again and again — I don’t know how many times. You have tried to launch your son here multiple times as well. Yet the results remain the same. You should reflect on the reasons,” he said.He alleged that the previous Congress govt was marred by corruption and governance failures, adding that people are now seeking accountability. “The people want answers. If you are invoking history, present the full truth, not selective narratives,” Sharma said.In a sharp response, LoP Jully accused the BJP govt of “double standards” on dynasty politics, linking the chief minister’s remarks to recent changes in the RCA’s ad hoc committee.“While the chief minister was delivering grand sermons on morality and criticising the ‘launching of sons’ in politics, his own govt has accommodated an entire queue of sons of senior BJP leaders in the RCA,” Jully said.He alleged that the cricket body, meant to nurture sporting talent, is being turned into a “launch pad for relatives of influential leaders”.Jully cited the appointment of Mohit Yadav, son of BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav, as RCA convenor, while also flagging the inclusion of Arisht Singhvi, grandson of former minister Chandraraj Singhvi, and Arjun Beniwal, son of MLA Sanjeev Beniwal, in the association.He also pointed to the reappointment to the RCA of Dhananjay Singh Khimsar, son of health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, and Ashish Tiwari, son of MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, alleging that opportunities within the party are increasingly limited to political families.“This reflects how dynasty politics has spread to the very roots of the BJP. It is a mockery of Rajasthan’s sporting legacy and injustice to young players,” Jully added.
