Jaipur: Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera Wednesday criticised Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma over his remarks against former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, saying a personal attack on a public figure regarded as the “Gandhi of Rajasthan” would politically harm BJP in the state and nationally.During a news conference at the Congress office in Jaipur, Khera called Sharma a “slip-appointed chief minister”, referring to the event where his appointment was announced through a slip sent by BJP’s central leadership. Khera said the comments on Gehlot were in poor taste and added that he would speak with Gehlot about what action he plans to take against Sharma.
Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera addresses media at PCC in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 04 November 2026
Khera also attacked the state govt over healthcare and education, alleging both were deteriorating. Calling Rajasthan’s healthcare system “on a ventilator”, he cited reported deaths of women, infants and children allegedly linked to cough syrup, a fatal blood transfusion error, and the fire at SMS Hospital to question govt claims on healthcare delivery.He alleged corruption and payment problems under the Rajasthan Govt Health Scheme (RGHS) and accused the BJP govt of weakening initiatives launched under the previous Congress govt, including a Rs 25 lakh health insurance scheme and the Right to Health.On education, Khera questioned the safety of around 41,000 govt schools and pointed to nearly 1.5 lakh vacancies in the education department. He alleged that promises of separate toilets for girls were unmet, schools lacked basic facilities for mid-day meals, and Right to Education payments were pending.Reacting to Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s renomination to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, Khera claimed it raised questions about Puri’s relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing reports that had linked Puri’s name to the Epstein case. He alleged, “Either Hardeep Puri is blackmailing Narendra Modi, or both are being blackmailed by someone,” questioning why Puri was given another term.
