Rajasthan BJP, CM get ‘training' in Gujarat: Nation, schemes to ideology, narrative
Terming it 'extremely surprising', former CM Ashok Gehlot has said, 'The entire government, including the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, along with the BJP Legislature Party, is going to a luxurious tent-like resort in Gujarat for training. This is the first time we are witnessing training being conducted after one and a half years of the government being in power. Does the BJP high command believe that the Rajasthan government has failed in one and a half years, necessitating this training?'
Gehlot asked why this training couldn't be held in Rajasthan, 'when international events like the G-20 meeting were held in cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, etc, during our government's tenure'. 'Why has the need arisen to conduct training for the BJP Chief Minister and MLAs outside Rajasthan?' he asked.
'While the state's public is suffering due to deteriorating law and order, shortages of water and electricity in the heat, and the collapse of healthcare facilities, the entire BJP government is in Gujarat for fun and enjoyment. The people of Rajasthan will remember this,' said the former CM.
CM Sharma shot back at Gehlot, saying, 'You have lost your mental balance.' The CM said the legislators were at a place that gives a message of unity and integrity, adding that Gehlot and his party did not adopt 'good thoughts' and hence were limited to a few states now.
Gehlot, in response, said his mental balance 'is absolutely fine' and that he wants to live at least 100 years to serve the people of Rajasthan. He said his criticism comes with advice since he has a long experience, again pointing out that 'the entire government, the entire cabinet, the CM, both deputy CMs, ruling party MLAs' have left the state at a time when it is facing several issues, including murders, suicides, shortage of water, high electricity demand, and corruption.
A packed itinerary
BJP state in-charge Dr Radha Mohan Das Agrawal said the idea behind organising such camps, where the legislators are taken to a different state and live in tents, is to ensure that one is '100% devoted to the organisation for three days'.
Emphasising the necessity of such camps, he added, 'We are not a vyaktivadi (individual)-based organisation nor of hollow party workers. We are an organisation of workers strong on ideology.'
Agrawal said such camps were part of a 'general organisational process to help build character and to shape party leaders on the basis of ideology' as the party's policies, principles, style of working, discipline, and purpose of politics, with reasoning, are explained to them.
On Monday, Day 1, BJP president J P Nadda addressed the legislators in the inaugural session. Nadda advised the legislators to be 'sensitive to the needs of the people, follow the principles of the organisation, and always stay active in the interest of the nation', according to CM Sharma.
On Tuesday, seven sessions were held starting at 9:15 am. Alwar Lok Sabha MP and Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav addressed a session on 'Transformative Policies of the Modi Government in the Context of Rajasthan'. Yadav spoke on the success of various Central government schemes aimed at realising the vision of a 'Developed India-Developed Rajasthan' and their spirit of public welfare.
BJP's national joint general secretary for organisation Shiv Prakash addressed the second session on 'Ideological Differences of BJP from Other Parties and Precautions Against Disruptive Politics', focusing on the party's fundamental principles, nationalism, and holistic development.
In the third session of the day, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde spoke on 'Social Media and Narrative Building — Our Role', while highlighting the relevance of creating constructive and positive national sentiment through social media.
BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe addressed a session on 'Personal Routine, Office Management, Personal Staff, Feedback and Follow-up, Social Etiquette', while CM Sharma himself addressed the gathering on 'Rising Rajasthan-Opportunities and Challenges.'
Apart from CM Sharma and Deputy CMs Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, state unit president Madan Rathore, former CM Vasundhara Raje, Agrawal, and party MPs and MLAs are attending the training camp. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address the concluding session on Wednesday.
While Nadda, Sharma, Rathore, and some other leaders offered floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity on Monday, the remaining attendees are scheduled to visit the statue on Wednesday before heading back to Rajasthan, party leaders said.
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