Jaipur: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma led the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' march in Jaipur on Thursday, November 5, as the party stepped up its counter-campaign against Congress allegations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Source: IANS

The programme began with a public meeting at Ramlila Maidan and was followed by a symbolic padyatra of about 1.25 km through Chaura Rasta to Tripolia Gate in the walled city. BJP state president Madan Rathore, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, state BJP in-charge Sanjay Bhatia, senior leader Arun Chaturvedi and Mayor Sunil Kothari were among those present at the meeting, IANS reported.

Source: IANS

Addressing the gathering, Sharma launched a sharp attack on former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, challenging him to prove any of his allegations wrong. He raised alleged irregularities in the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) and the Jal Jeevan Mission, referring to the arrest of an RPSC member and a minister in connection with separate cases — allegations the Congress has not formally responded to in Thursday's reports.

Source: IANS

Party workers raised slogans including 'Modi kahin nahin jayega' and 'Save Democracy, End Anarchy' as the march passed through the busy commercial areas of the old city during the Diwali shopping period. The Times of India reported that Jaipur MP and programme coordinator Manju Sharma had reviewed preparations on Wednesday, with the organisation targeting a turnout of more than 10,000 people.

Source: Times of India

The Jaipur march is part of the BJP's nationwide 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' campaign, through which the party says the opposition is misleading the public with claims of 'vote theft' around the SIR exercise. Congress counter-statements and rival mobilisations are expected as Rajasthan's local body election cycle approaches.