‘Elitist’ Raje in party line of fire

The Vasundhara Raje government’s style of functioning has come in for sharp criticism from veteran Jan Sangh leaders of the BJP. Critic...

The Vasundhara Raje government’s style of functioning has come in for sharp criticism from veteran Jan Sangh leaders of the BJP. Critical of the state government’s ‘‘elitist rule which ignores the grassroots worker’’, senior leaders attending the state executive meet over the weekend called for more power for the party worker.

At the meeting, the issue of BJP workers being ignored by the state government was highlighted, and the party leadership has decided to convert the ‘‘Janta Durbar’’ held by ministers at the BJP headquarters into an exclusive interface between the government and the workers.

Since the Vasundhara government came to power in the state, party workers have been regularly complaining about being marginalised by the CM and her Cabinet. Senior leaders have openly said the government is being ‘‘ruled by a few elites despite the fact that victory was achieved due to the efforts of the grassroots workers’’.

Story continues below this ad

State party chief Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi warned ministers against a ‘‘luxurious lifestyle’’ amid increasing demands from workers. Senior leader and MP Raghuveer Singh Kaushal was the most vocal. ‘‘Ordinary workers should feel the BJP is in power,’’ he said, adding leaders with a Jan Sangh background were being sidelined.

Chaturvedi, however, clarified there was no resentment among workers. ‘‘There was no resentment. People were just expressing their views. The balance between the party and government has been appreciated,” he said.

H-1B $100,000 entry fee explained: Who pays, who’s exempt, and what’s still unclear?

Explained1 hr ago

The White House's decision to impose a $100,000 entry fee on H-1B visa holders has sparked worry among Indian tech workers and students. While uncertainties remain about its implementation and exemptions, major tech companies have cautioned employees against traveling. The policy could lead to a shift towards other visa categories and potentially change the STEM immigration pipeline.

View all shorts

Live Blog