Rajasthan Congress Issues Show-Cause Notice to Former Minister Vishvendra Singh After Exit Announcement
The Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee’s disciplinary committee has issued a show-cause notice to former minister Vishvendra Singh over alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities. The notice was served on Friday, hours after Singh virtually announced his exit from the party. The committee has sought a reply from Singh within seven days, questioning why disciplinary action, including the termination of his primary membership, should not be initiated against him.
Singh, who served as a cabinet minister in the previous Ashok Gehlot-led government, responded to the notice on social media. He stated that the party is free to take action against him and that he remains equally free to decide his own political future. His public statements have triggered speculation regarding a potential move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Allegations of Anti-Party Activities
The disciplinary action was initiated following complaints submitted by the Congress district presidents of Bharatpur and Deeg. The party has levelled several allegations against the former minister, including his absence from party programmes and key meetings. The notice also claims that Singh did not participate in candidate selection or campaigning during the recent urban local body elections.
Furthermore, the party alleged that during the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation chairperson election, the Congress-supported candidate withdrew from the contest on Singh’s instructions. According to the party, this move paved the way for the BJP candidate to be elected unopposed. The notice also accused Singh of questioning the capabilities of the Bharatpur and Deeg-Kumher district presidents and making public statements against Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra on social media.
Singh Questions Party Leadership
In his social media response, Singh addressed the disciplinary committee, questioning whether he should reply to the notice first or respond to the remarks made about him by PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra. "He considers me his elder brother, while on the other hand your actions are before me. All my workers and I are confused," Singh wrote. He added that he has always remained within the limits of decorum and discipline, stating, "At this stage of my life, perhaps I do not need anyone’s advice."
Earlier on Friday morning, Singh had shared a statement announcing his resignation from the Congress, writing that it was "better to die with self-respect than suffocation." His announcement followed a series of allegations he made against Dotasra and the party's local units in Bharatpur and Deeg, which he accused of sidelining "actual party workers" during the local body polls.
Dispute Over Ticket Distribution
The conflict escalated on September 30 when Singh posted allegations that the district presidents of Bharatpur and Deeg had distributed election tickets to their favourites while ignoring genuine party workers. He questioned who was responsible for the decline of the Congress in the Bharatpur-Deeg region and asserted that voters were ready to hold the local leadership and Dotasra accountable.
Singh pointed out that Bharatpur is the home district of the Chief Minister, meaning the Congress should have maintained a stronger presence there. He alleged that the local leadership had actively damaged the party's standing. In a separate post, Singh targeted Dotasra directly, accusing him of misusing his power during the previous Congress administration to benefit his family members. Singh demanded that such leaders resign immediately or face expulsion by the party high command. Similar allegations have been raised by the BJP over the years, which both the Congress and Dotasra have repeatedly refuted.
Reactions From the Congress Leadership
Prior to the issuance of the show-cause notice, Govind Singh Dotasra dismissed reports of internal discord as "propaganda" spread by the BJP. "There is no discord among us. This is the BJP’s toolkit. The BJP spreads propaganda and tries to show that there are differences within the Congress," Dotasra said on Thursday.
When asked about Singh’s subsequent resignation announcement and social media posts, Dotasra stated that he had not received any formal communication from the former minister. He added that if any concerns were submitted in writing, they would be heard. Meanwhile, the district presidents of Bharatpur and Deeg had already forwarded a formal report regarding Singh's activities to the party high command, leading to the current disciplinary proceedings.
