Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday criticised the Congress during a public meeting at Bachhdau in Barmer, alleging that the previous Congress government had left the state in poor condition. He also accused Congress leaders of being driven by self-interest, while highlighting development initiatives undertaken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

Sharma, who arrived at Bachhdau around 2 p.m., was welcomed by Minister of State K.K. Vishnoi and Chouhtan MLA Aduram Meghwal. Several other elected representatives, including Barmer MLA Priyanka Chaudhary, Siwana MLA Hamir Singh, Jaisalmer MLA Chhotu Singh and Pokaran MLA Mahant Pratap Puri, were present. The Chief Minister was also welcomed by Barmer District Collector Chinmayi Gopal and District Superintendent of Police Chunaram, with a traditional Gair dance organised for the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Sharma said the previous Congress government had reduced Rajasthan to what he described as a "dilapidated house". He also criticised the previous administration over alleged difficulties faced by young people and recurring paper-leak cases. Sharma contrasted this with his government's record and asked the gathering whether paper leaks were occurring under the current BJP government, receiving a negative response from those present.

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The Chief Minister highlighted the BJP government's initiatives in rural development and infrastructure, saying efforts were underway to ensure paved roads in every village. He also said Rajasthan had moved from depending on electricity supplied from other states to supplying power, reiterating a claim he had made at a recent state programme. Sharma said the government was also working to improve education, public amenities and other basic infrastructure in rural areas.

Sharma announced that every gram panchayat in Rajasthan would have a sports ground and said Atal Gyan Kendras would be established in villages across the state. The centres have previously been described by the government as facilities intended to provide e-learning opportunities to rural youth. During the Bachhdau programme, the Chief Minister laid foundation stones for and inaugurated 1,013 development projects with a combined value of Rs 2,824 crore, according to the programme details.

The Chief Minister's visit comes ahead of the Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan. Before the public meeting, he interacted with BJP office-bearers and workers from Barmer, Balotra and Jaisalmer and discussed preparations for the upcoming rural local-body elections. Sharma was scheduled to travel to Sumerpur in Pali after the Bachhdau programme, as his recent visits across Rajasthan have included public meetings, development-project events and interactions with party workers.

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