: Thursday, December 11, 2025 7:52 PM
Jaipur. On completion of two years of Rajasthan government, opposition leader Tikaram Julie has attacked the ruling BJP and accused it of maintaining silence on several issues repeatedly raised by Congress MLAs. He said these issues include spying through cameras in the Assembly, rise of drug mafia in the state, delay in local body elections, ‘Rising Rajasthan’ program and many other concerns related to governance. Julie alleged that the space for the opposition was shrinking and their voices were being suppressed in Rajasthan like other parts of the country. Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Julie answered many questions in an interview.
Question: The state government has completed two years in office. How do you assess his performance?
answer: The government has maintained silence on serious questions raised by our MLAs, be it spying on the Assembly through cameras, the rise of the drug mafia, the delay in local body elections, or issues related to the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ programme. The space for opposition voices is shrinking. Our mics are switched off, questions remain unanswered, and the Speaker seems to be defending BJP MLAs. Despite this, people watching the assembly live have started supporting Congress, and Anta’s victory is proof of this.
Question: You have repeatedly expressed concern about the East Rajasthan Canal Project. What is a primary issue?
answer: The Center has not yet declared the East Rajasthan Canal Project as a national project, as confirmed in a recent reply in the Rajya Sabha. We want to ask BJP that how much budget did you approve and how much was spent? The budget for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project was originally passed under the Congress government. Now, suddenly tenders are being passed. The Center created drama, called the neighboring Chief Minister, held symbolic ceremonies and changed the name of the project, but did not spend a single penny. As of today, the Centre’s contribution is nil.
Question: The government claims that it has created one lakh jobs and ended paper leaks. Your answer?
answer: They should tell the public which posts they created, on which date and how many were filled. Now they are taking credit for the jobs that were created during the tenure of Congress, which were already in the pipeline. The strictest laws on paper leaks were made by the Congress government. What is happening in BJP ruled Haryana, UP, MP and even the Centre? Papers are leaking everywhere. SOG, police and ministers all gave separate statements in the SI paper leak case, and the matter is now in the court. They are diverting attention from the issues.
Question: What is your assessment of the law and order situation in the state?
answer: Official figures may look good, but the ground reality tells a different story. Incidents of murder, rape and torture are happening daily. Drugs, land and mining mafias are flourishing. There are delays in filing FIRs, and we have seen people protesting on the ground time and again.
Question: You have alleged abuse of assembly procedures. What exactly are the concerns?
answer: This government avoids discussion on important topics. Last year, debates on electricity, water and medical issues were not allowed. We have collected evidence from the cameras installed inside the Assembly, and we will soon reveal the entire story of the spying. My mic was switched off, and our MLAs are not allowed to speak.
Question: You have also criticized the administrative functioning of the government.
answer: The Chief Minister has to run to Delhi even for small decisions. The bureaucracy now works from two power centres, which is affecting governance. There is no new plan. Debt is increasing. On an average, every citizen has a debt of about Rs 1 lakh. New loans are being taken only to repay old loans.
Question: BJP alleges factionalism within Congress. What is your reaction on this?
answer: There is no factionalism. We are united and focused on our responsibilities. BJP should look at its internal tensions, the results of Anta show this.
Question: Local body elections have been a big issue. What is your Opinion?
answer: Not having elections for five years is a serious issue. Administrators are being appointed everywhere. In Nohar, a chairman was removed without being heard. The court reinstated, and he was again suspended. This government is openly violating the court orders. Sarpanches and heads appointed under the previous Congress government are being removed. Our voice is being suppressed.
Question: What is your comment on Overseas Day and Investment Promotion?
answer: We had started a single-window system for NRIs. What new facilities has this government provided? Migrant Day has become just a political programme. Dozens of questions were raised in the investment summit, but no answer was received.
Question: Minister Kirori Lal Meena himself is doing the raid. What is your reaction on this?
answer: He had to raid himself because no one else was listening to him.
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Web Title-Drug, land, and mining mafias are flourishing in Rajasthan: Tikaram Juli
