The stage is set for the Rajasthan Assembly elections scheduled for November 25, 2023, with 200 seats up for grabs. However, it appears that the Congress party might be facing an uphill battle, with speculations of defeat circulating even before the first vote is cast.
During a campaign rally in Jodhpur on November 12, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gahlot stirred controversy by attributing the murderers of Kanhaiyalal to "BJP people." Gahlot alleged that the BJP was deliberately raising the issue of Kanhaiyalal's killing to create tension before the elections.
Kanhaiyalal's brutal murder in his Udaipur shop on June 28, 2022, shocked the nation. His killers, Mohammad Riyaz and Gaus Mohammad, slit his throat in his own store. The culprits are yet to face justice, and the delayed resolution has left the community anxiously awaiting closure.
Following the barbaric murder, the assailants posted a video of the act on social media, sending shockwaves across the country. Despite the brutality, CM Gahlot suggests that there are several mysteries surrounding the case.
While Gahlot leads a state where law and order have plummeted, there is skepticism about whether he will take moral responsibility for this heinous crime. The people of Udaipur, especially, seem discontented with the Congress, viewing Kanhaiyalal's murder as a significant electoral issue.
On November 10, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Udaipur, acknowledging Kanhaiyalal's murder. The political landscape seems to be shifting as the PM's involvement adds weight to the incident, making it a pivotal electoral concern.
Gahlot, however, dismisses Modi's awareness of the details, claiming that the culprits were released on bail by the BJP just days before the incident. He questions how Modi can speak on the matter without having all the facts.
Gahlot is visibly uneasy about the National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking over the case. He argues that the Rajasthan Police's Special Operation Group could have yielded better results and questions the lack of transparency in the NIA's handling of the investigation.
The BJP, on the other hand, denies Gahlot's allegations, labeling them baseless. Party spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj expresses disappointment at Gahlot's defeatist attitude, asserting that the BJP is poised for victory.
Bhardwaj emphasizes that Kanhaiyalal had sought police protection, which was denied. The lack of security, according to him, led to the gruesome beheading by terrorists.
Gahlot's handling of the Kanhaiyalal case has led to widespread discontent, as evident in the ground reports by News 18. The mishandling of the situation has not only cost Congress its credibility but has also fueled public anger against the administration.
The public perceives administrative failures as the root cause behind incidents like the leaked papers and the tragic death of Kanhaiyalal. The frustration among the people is palpable, and it could significantly impact the upcoming elections.
The demand for a judicial inquiry into Kanhaiyalal's murder is gaining momentum. People argue that a fair and transparent investigation is crucial to restore faith in the democratic process. As Rajasthan gears up for the assembly elections, the specter of Kanhaiyalal's murder looms large, casting a shadow over the Congress party. The BJP, capitalizing on the discontent, is positioning itself as the alternative. The people's verdict on December 3, 2023, will determine the political landscape in the state.
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