Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accused the BJP of excluding Muslim candidates
June 14, 2026: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday launched a strong attack on the BJP, alleging that the party contests all Lok Sabha seats but does not field a single Muslim candidate. Speaking at an event in Jaipur, Gehlot claimed that if former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi were alive today, she might have considered action against a party that followed such political practices. Several Congress leaders, including Govind Singh Dotasra and Imran Masood, attended the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Gehlot said democracy was facing serious challenges and alleged that minorities were experiencing injustice and discrimination. He referred to voter list issues in West Bengal and the Rajya Sabha nomination controversy involving Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan. He also criticized the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP, claiming it was inconsistent with the values of leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B. R. Ambedkar.
Gehlot further called for strengthening the opposition alliance, urging parties that had separated from Congress to return and work together. He said people wanted to see a direct political contest between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi and argued that opposition parties should unite under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. Reflecting on his political career, Gehlot said he had never witnessed such an atmosphere in public life and warned that the country’s future, especially that of its youth, could be affected if the current situation continued.