Congress Rift Deepens as Vishvendra Singh Targets Dotasra
Former minister alleges ticket irregularities and raises questions over RAS, OBC and REET issues; Dotasra’s camp has faced renewed scrutiny
- Vishvendra Singh targets Govind Singh Dotasra.
- He questions Congress ticket distribution in Bharatpur.
- RAS, OBC and REET allegations resurface.
- Singh seeks investigation and Dotasra’s resignation.
GG News Bureau
Jaipur, 1st Oct: The internal differences within the Rajasthan Congress have resurfaced following the party’s performance in the recent urban local body elections, with former minister Vishvendra Singh publicly targeting state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra.
Singh, a former minister and member of the erstwhile Bharatpur royal family, used social media posts on September 30 to question the distribution of Congress tickets in Bharatpur and Deeg and demand accountability from the party’s state leadership. His remarks came after the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation results, where independents won 36 of 65 wards, while the BJP won 20 and Congress seven.
Ticket distribution becomes flashpoint
Singh alleged that the two district Congress presidents had favoured their preferred candidates while sidelining long-standing party workers during ticket distribution. He attributed the Congress’s poor showing in the local elections to these decisions and called for action against those responsible.
The Bharatpur results left independents with the largest bloc in the 65-member corporation, while the BJP emerged as the largest single party. The majority mark was 33.
RAS selections, OBC certificates under scrutiny
In a separate post, Singh raised allegations concerning the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) selections of individuals related to Dotasra.
He alleged that Dotasra’s daughter-in-law Pratibha Poonia and her relatives Gaurav Poonia and Pragya Poonia received identical 80 marks in their respective RAS interviews. Singh also questioned the OBC Non-Creamy Layer certification connected with Dotasra’s son Avinash Singh’s RAS selection and sought an investigation into related claims concerning OBC benefits.
These allegations have been reported previously and remain allegations rather than established findings of wrongdoing. Reports also note that Dotasra had earlier rejected questions surrounding the selections and defended the candidates’ eligibility.
Singh additionally revived allegations concerning irregularities in the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) during Dotasra’s tenure as Education Minister and called for a detailed investigation.
Singh demands resignation
Singh urged Dotasra to resign or face disciplinary action from the Congress high command. He also appealed to the Rajasthan government to investigate the allegations relating to recruitment and examination processes.
The former minister also objected to a reported remark by Dotasra concerning people being charged money for asking directions in Bharatpur and said the comment had offended local residents.
Political differences remain visible
The latest confrontation adds another layer to the continuing political differences within the Rajasthan Congress. Singh’s latest statements have brought organisational decisions, recruitment controversies and the party’s recent electoral performance into the same internal debate.
The allegations concerning RAS selections, OBC certificates and REET have not been independently established by a competent investigative or judicial authority. Any definitive conclusion would depend on documentary verification and findings by the relevant authorities.
