Vishvendra Singh Announces Exit from Congress
Former Rajasthan minister cites “self-respect” and differences over party policies
- Vishvendra Singh announces decision to leave Congress.
- Move follows public differences with Rajasthan Congress leadership.
- Singh had demanded Govind Singh Dotasra’s resignation.
- Congress has not immediately confirmed a formal resignation.
GG News Bureau
Jaipur, 2nd Oct: Former Rajasthan minister Vishvendra Singh on Friday announced that he was leaving the Congress, two days after publicly criticising Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra over the party’s performance in the recent urban local body elections.
Singh, a member of the erstwhile Bharatpur royal family and former Deeg-Kumher MLA, announced his decision in a social media post. He said he had taken the decision after listening to his conscience and following his personal convictions. There was no immediate confirmation from the Congress on whether he had formally submitted his resignation.
Singh said he had devoted his life to the Congress but could no longer continue with what he described as “wrong policies”. He also said remarks by some party leaders had hurt him and angered his supporters.
The announcement follows a public disagreement between Singh and sections of the Rajasthan Congress. Singh had earlier blamed the party’s Bharatpur and Deeg district presidents for its performance in the civic polls, alleging that party tickets were given to favourites while genuine workers were overlooked.
The Congress won 3,613 wards in the declared results of the civic body elections, compared with 4,179 wards won by the BJP.
Singh subsequently demanded Dotasra’s resignation and called for an investigation into allegations concerning recruitment examinations and alleged benefits received by members of the PCC chief’s family.
Dotasra rejected suggestions of an internal rift in the party on Thursday, describing reports of differences as part of what he called the BJP’s “toolkit”.
Singh served as Tourism Minister in the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government. He contested the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly election from Deeg-Kumher but was defeated.
