Jaipur, April 13 (IANS) Congress leader Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the demand for early local elections is gaining momentum across Rajasthan as governance by officials alone is failing to adequately address the everyday concerns of people in both urban and rural areas.
Highlighting what he described as a widening gap between administration and public needs, Pilot said there is a “widespread demand” for restoring elected representation at the earliest.
Pilot was speaking to the media in Tonk, his constituency. “I regret to note that ever since the BJP government came to power, neither student union elections have been held in the universities, nor have elections for municipalities or Panchayats taken place. How the fundamental spirit of strengthening democracy, as enshrined in our Constitution, can be upheld in these circumstances.”
“One wonders what the Election Commission is doing, and likewise, what the government is doing. Even following the court’s verdict, which set an April 15th deadline, elections have still not been conducted here. Thus, the collective demand is that elections be held so that representatives can be elected from their respective wards to serve in the corporations, councils, and Panchayats, thereby ensuring that the public’s daily needs are addressed.”
“Everyone knows that the Collector and the Superintendent of Police (SP) cannot realistically handle every minor administrative task. Consequently, there is resentment among the people over the fact that elections are being postponed without any valid justification. Everyone wants the elections to be held; however, I am convinced that the BJP government has no intention of conducting them, as they realise that if elections were to take place, the results would not be in their favour,” he said.
“Driven by the fear of losing polls, the BJP is repeatedly resorting to making excuses to delay the electoral process. It is the collective will of the people that elections be held. We are prepared to pursue legal recourse through the courts and will continue to exert pressure to ensure that elections take place. Furthermore, regarding the general public grievances prevalent in this region, we remain in constant contact with the concerned officials to facilitate their resolution,” he added.
Pilot further noted that the growing public sentiment reflects a broader concern about the weakening of grassroots democracy.
He said that the absence of elected bodies has led to growing frustration among citizens, as routine civic and developmental issues remain unresolved. He argued that while administrative officers continue to manage affairs, they are not equipped to effectively handle the volume and diversity of public grievances that typically fall within the domain of elected representatives. “With administrators currently in charge, officials are unable to effectively resolve day-to-day public issues,” he said, adding that this concern is being echoed across villages and cities alike.
Emphasising that his party has consistently raised the issue, Pilot said the demand for timely elections is not new but has now intensified due to prolonged delays. He maintained that democratic institutions at the local level, such as municipalities and Panchayats, play a crucial role in ensuring accountability and responsive governance, which, he claimed, is currently lacking.
Without elected representatives in place, he said, citizens are left with limited avenues to voice their concerns or seek timely redressal. He reiterated that holding elections is essential not only to restore democratic processes but also to ensure that governance becomes more accessible and responsive to the needs of the people.
Calling for immediate action, Pilot said elections should be held at the earliest to re-establish representative governance and address the mounting challenges faced by the public.
–IANS
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