Laxmangarh Ground Report: Phir Se Dotasra? Under Fire, Rajasthan Congress Chief Digs In to Defend His Fort – News18

The royal Laxmangarh Fort overlooks the sprawling city of the same name in Rajasthan’s Sikar district. It’s weathered many storms, much like the area’s MLA and state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra is trying in this month’s assembly elections. But he walks with an air of confidence. The crowds applaud and the women in ghunghats smile coyly when he tells them that if the Congress forms the government in the state, they will get Rs 10,000 in their bank accounts. He tells them to keep it for themselves and not give it to the men in the house. He then turns to me and translates in Hindi what he just said.

Dotasra’s home and office were raided a few days back by the Enforcement Directorate over allegations of involvement in an exam paper leak case. In an exclusive interview, he tells News18: “I am roaming freely. If they want, they can easily catch me. Why did they have to bring up this issue after two and a half years? Just because there are elections? They found nothing and they will find nothing.”

Sources say that some Congress hoardings that had Dotasra along with the Gandhis have been pulled down. The party wishes to take no chances. But the state Congress chief is unfazed. “Paper leak is no issue at all here or in the state. You look around. I have done so much work. I work with honesty. I have not taken even a penny from anyone. This is a conspiracy against me. (Subhash) Maharia and Rajendra Rathore went to Delhi, and they hatched this plot against me,” said Dotasra.

A little further away is the Congress office inside a haveli. A few men sit there. “Nikal lenge,” they tell me. Subhash Singh Dotasra shares Govind Singh’s surname and confidence. He works at a small cycle shop near the fort. In 72 years, he has seen much upheaval but tells me he has done no wrong. “There is no such thing as paper leak here. The BJP is lying and trying to trap him. But Bhairon Baba is with him.”

Govind Singh Dotasra agrees. “If they had any proof against me, you think they would have spared me? Are they so weak then?”

People tell News18 that he is always there for them. From transfers to admissions, Dotasra ensures work is done. But the BJP has performed its calculations well. It fielded Subhash Maharia, a tall jat leader like Dotasra from this Shekhawati belt. Interestingly the two are facing each other in a contest after 10 years. So it comes as little surprise that Dotasra’s speeches frequently refer to Maharia. He is accused of playing caste politics.

Rajasthan sees a cyclical pattern of victory. Many say they need change after five years. Dotasra wants to ensure that doesn’t happen in his case. Subtly playing the caste, victim, and women card, he hopes to come back. As state Congress chief, he has also learnt to tread carefully. Not wanting to get trapped in the Pilot versus Gehlot battle, he tells me, “All is well. No one is a CM face for now. Not even Gehlot. High command will decide. Anyone can be. We want joint rallies of Gehlot and Pilot.”

As the Congress pushes the slogan “Gehlot phir se”, Dotasra too has one of his own: “Kaam kiya saara, phir se Dotasra.”