In a bold digital salvo, Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot has ramped up his attacks on Rajasthan’s BJP government, focusing this time on the shameful neglect of sports infrastructure. The 17th episode of his ‘Intzaar Shastra’ series pulls no punches, exposing how elite training centers and stadiums are gathering dust under Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s watch.
Central to Gehlot’s charges is the Rajasthan State Sports Institute in Jodhpur, a crown jewel developed under his leadership to rival Patiala’s NIS. Equipped with cutting-edge synthetic tracks and comprehensive training setups, this facility was designed to propel Rajasthan athletes to national glory. But without coaches, it’s become irrelevant, leaving talents in the lurch.
Gehlot decried it as a ‘white elephant,’ a burdensome relic squandering public funds. He drew parallels with the iconic Amritlal Stadium in Jodhpur, now in ruins from poor upkeep and bureaucratic indifference, robbing local youth of vital practice spaces.
Why the hypocrisy, Gehlot asked, when the government champions ‘Rajasthan khelega to Rajasthan khilega’? He accused authorities of systematically bypassing Jodhpur projects, a move he branded as discrimination against Marwar’s aspiring sports stars.
This ongoing series serves as Gehlot’s platform to reclaim the narrative on his government’s achievements, contrasting them with what he calls the current regime’s slowdown on development. Social media buzz around ‘Intzaar Shastra’ has fueled broader conversations on project ownership and governance lapses in Rajasthan.
BJP’s Madan Rathore hit back sharply, urging Gehlot to adopt ‘Santosha Shastra’ and retreat to vanaprastha—a life away from active politics—insisting his era is over and it’s time to let fresh leaders take the reins.
With sports emerging as a political battleground, Gehlot’s critique could rally opposition supporters while pressuring the government to revive these assets, potentially reshaping Rajasthan’s sporting landscape ahead of key elections.
