BJP and Congress in Rajasthan attempt to gherao each other’s headquarters; police use water cannons

In an unusual show of political street power in Jaipur, the ruling BJP and the Congress on Wednesday held protest marches to gherao each other’s state headquarters, forcing the police to use water cannons and mild force to prevent the protesters from advancing.

The ruling BJP was offended by the dharna led by Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi outside the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday.

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The saffron party was also upset over the Congress’ move to express solidarity with Rahul Gandhi by burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jaipur and at several district headquarters on Tuesday evening.

Accordingly, the ruling BJP organised the march in response to the nationwide call given by the party leadership in New Delhi to lay siege to Congress offices on Wednesday morning. In response, the Congress also decided to hold a counter-march to the BJP state headquarters later in the afternoon.

A large number of BJP workers gathered at the party office, from where they began their march towards the Congress headquarters under the leadership of state BJP president Madan Rathore. They raised slogans in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including “Narendra Modi Zindabad”, and against Rahul Gandhi, chanting “Rahul Gandhi Sharm Karo”.

The BJP protesters were stopped at Shaheed Smarak, in front of the Jaipur Police Commissionerate. While some protesters attempted to move ahead, the police used water cannons to stop them. This triggered an immediate reaction from the Congress, as a large number of party leaders and workers, including several MLAs, assembled at the party headquarters to launch a retaliatory march.

The Congress march, led by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra, began later in the afternoon. The police had erected heavy barricades at three locations to prevent any direct confrontation between the two rival parties.

The Congress workers raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They crossed the first barricade near the party office but were stopped at the second barricade erected by the police near the Shaheed Smarak roundabout. As they attempted to push through, the police used mild force and water cannons to disperse them.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the Congress was holding a peaceful demonstration and raising democratic slogans, but the police, acting under pressure from the ruling party, unnecessarily used force and water cannons.

Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said, “The police discriminated against our workers and acted atrociously towards us. The government’s high-handed behaviour against the people and the Congress will cost the BJP dearly. The party will lose power in the state in the 2028 Assembly elections.”