JAIPUR: Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday stepped up his attack on the BJP govt in Rajasthan, saying the state would have seen more development if Vasundhara Raje were chief minister and calling incumbent Bhajan Lal Sharma a “parchi CM”.“If Vasundhara Raje were CM, there would have been more development in the state,” Yadav said.His remarks came a day after Raje, speaking at a public gathering, fuelled speculation about discontent in the party. “How can I fight for you when I have lost my own position? What can I do for you?” she said.At a press briefing in Jaipur, Yadav also targeted UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, calling him a “nakli sant (fake seer),” who asks for “certificates from others but has none of his own”.He took aim at the BJP’s “double-engine govt” pitch, alleging that instead of working together, “the two engines appear to be colliding rather than accelerating,” pointing to internal discord.Yadav said the fight against the BJP would be led not only by political parties but also by the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) community.Asked about the film ‘Dhurandhar’ at a private event, Yadav compared cinema disclaimers with political messaging. “Just as films carry a disclaimer that all characters are fictional, similarly BJP also fabricates stories,” he said, alleging films and content are being used to spread confusion and that the trend would intensify.He also questioned the Election Commission’s impartiality, alleging it was functioning under pressure from the BJP. Yadav also alleged large-scale irregularities in the SIR process, claiming SP supporters’ names were removed from voter lists. He alleged that the BJP was misusing institutions to target opposition leaders across states, but claimed that the strategy was proving counterproductive in UP.On alliances, Yadav said he has been part of several coalitions and that the INDIA bloc would continue and grow stronger, while clarifying that his party is not currently contesting elections in Rajasthan.Vasundhara Raje clarifiesFormer Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje has clarified her recent “mine is gone, I could not save it” remark, alleging that “conspirators” misrepresented her statement by taking it out of context.During a public meeting in Jhalawar on Friday, when some attendees approached Raje for assistance, she had said, “Bhaiya mera hi chala gaya. Main apna nahi bacha saki aur tum keh rahe ho ki. (I lost mine. I could not save my own situation.)” The comment triggered political speculation, with some interpreting it as a reference to her not being chosen as chief minister after the BJP returned to power in Rajasthan in December 2023.However, Raje later dismissed such interpretations, saying her remarks had no political meaning.Speaking to the media in Baran, she said the comment made during a small public gathering was “completely taken out of context” and insisted the issue she referred to was related to a four-lane highway project.She explained that some residents had approached her expressing concerns that the proposed highway would pass through their land and requested a change in its alignment.“I was trying to tell them that in Dholpur, a highway passed in front of my house, and I, too, had to move my boundary wall back. My land was also affected. So I told them that ‘when I could not stop it for my own house, how could I help you?’” she said.Raje further alleged that certain “well-wishers” had sent people to monitor her statements and misrepresent them.“These are conspirators. They have done this before and continue to do so, but they have not succeeded over the years,” she said, adding that she issued the clarification to avoid misunderstandings.She emphasised that her interaction with the public contained no reference to any political position.Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore also defended Raje, saying her work was ongoing.“Such things (suggesting her work is not being done) have never been said. All of her work is being carried out. I spoke to her just a few minutes ago,” Rathore told reporters in Bikaner.When asked whether her remark referred to the chief minister’s position, Rathore said no single individual is required to be chief minister every time.
