Vishvendra Singh quits Congress after public row with Rajasthan party chief

Former minister walks out after civic poll dispute

Former Rajasthan Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh has announced his departure from the Congress party, following a bitter public feud with state leadership over candidate selection in the recent local elections.

Singh, a prominent member of the Bharatpur royal family, made the announcement on social media on Friday, 2 October, stating he was guided by his conscience and could no longer tolerate "wrong policies" within the party. His departure comes after days of sharp public disagreements, though state Congress officials have not yet confirmed receiving a formal resignation letter.

"Instead of dying of suffocation, it is better to die with self-respect," Singh wrote, adding that he had been deeply hurt by statements made by "petty and so-called leaders" within the party.

Inside the battle for Rajasthan Congress tickets

The immediate catalyst for Singh’s exit was the party’s performance in the recent urban local body elections, where the Congress won 3,613 wards compared to the opposition BJP's 4,179.

Singh openly blamed the Congress district presidents in Bharatpur and Deeg for the setback. He accused them of nepotism, claiming that genuine party workers were sidelined in favour of handpicked associates.

The dispute quickly escalated into a direct assault on the state party president, Govind Singh Dotasra. Singh demanded Dotasra's resignation and publicly called for an inquiry into allegations concerning recruitment examinations and benefits allegedly received by Dotasra’s family.

Dotasra sought to downplay the conflict on Thursday, 1 October, denying any internal division. He dismissed the reports of a rift as part of a "BJP toolkit" designed to manufacture discord within Congress ranks. "There is no discord among us," Dotasra told reporters.

A royal footprint in state politics

Singh’s exit is a significant blow to the Congress in eastern Rajasthan. A former MLA for Deeg-Kumher, he served as the Tourism Minister in the previous Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot.

Though he lost his seat in the 2023 assembly elections, Singh retains substantial influence in the region due to his royal lineage and local support.

By quitting, Singh said he was choosing his principles over party loyalty. "If speaking the truth and not supporting what is wrong and false are sins, I will commit one every time," he said.