Retaliating against BJP MLA Jogeshwar Garg's remarks in Jalore, Congress has challenged him to an open debate on the issue of development.
In a press conference held at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, District Congress spokesperson Yogendra Singh Kumpawat said that Jogeshwar Garg is a senior leader and such language is not expected from him.
He said, “If senior leaders themselves use indecent language, what message will it send to the workers and the younger generation.” Kumpawat also demanded that MLA Garg should express regret for his statement.
Kumpawat challenged the MLA, asking him to present an account of the development work done for Jalore in the last two and a half years before the public.
“What major work has been done for Jalore in the last two and a half years that MLA Garg can count as an achievement before the public—he should have a public debate on this. Congress is ready for this debate.”
He said that if MLA Garg wants to have an open debate on a public platform, Congress is fully prepared for it.
The Congress spokesperson questioned BJP's evasion of responsibility for Jalore's basic problems. He said that the Municipal Council, Panchayat Samiti, District Head, MLA, and MP are all from the BJP.
Kumpawat mentioned various problems of Jalore city. He said that many roads in the city are in a dilapidated condition, the public is troubled by the sewerage system, and there is no regular supply of drinking water.
He stated that people are forced to order water from tankers. People also face problems with electricity supply during summer and rainy seasons.
Kumpawat alleged that officials of the concerned departments do not even pick up the phones of the general public. He advised the MLA to pay attention to these public problems instead of making indecent statements in political meetings.
Ahor Congress candidate Saroj Chaudhary also spoke at the press conference. She questioned whether it is appropriate to use such language while politically targeting a female public representative, especially when she had a fracture in her leg.
She said that political opposition has its place, but it is the responsibility of every public representative to maintain respect and dignity towards women.
Outgoing Leader of Opposition Basant Suthar said that former BJP chairman Govind Tank was also not given due respect by the BJP leadership.
Suthar also mentioned Jogeshwar Garg's alleged promise, in which he had talked about self-immolation if a ventilator was not installed in the hospital. He asked what the status of the ventilator in the hospital is today, despite the BJP government being in power in the state and at the center, the MLA should answer this.
Outgoing councilor Laxman Sankhla said that since 1990, the Jalore assembly constituency has had a BJP MLA for most of the time, so the BJP should present an account of Jalore's development to the public.
He alleged that obstacles were also created in the development works approved and started during the Congress rule. He also demanded the MLA to clarify his position on the alleged corruption cases that have come to light in the Municipal Council.
Congress leaders clarified that the upcoming municipal elections will be fought on real public issues like Jalore's development, basic facilities, drinking water, roads, sewerage, electricity, and the functioning of the Municipal Council, rather than on personal statements.
*Edit with Google AI Studio
ललित पथमेड़ा
