Can no longer accept ‘bad policies’: Former Rajasthan minister Vishvendra Singh quits Congress

Former Rajasthan Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh with ex-CM Ashok Gehlot. Photo credit:

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vishvendra Singh on Friday (October 2, 2026) announced that he is quitting the Congress, two days after he launched a scathing attack on the party’s state president Govind Singh Dotasra during the recent local body elections.

Mr. Singh, a member of the former Bharatpur royal family, announced his decision in a social media post, saying he followed his conscience and was hurt by the statements of some party leaders.

However, the Congress did not immediately confirm whether Mr Singh had formally tendered his resignation.

“I have always taken decisions in my life by listening to my revered Giriraj Maharaj and my inner voice,” Mr Singh said.

He said the statements of some “petty and so-called leaders” angered his supporters and hurt him.

“If speaking the truth and not supporting what is wrong and false are sins, I commit one every time. I do nothing wrong, nor do I tolerate anything wrong,” he said.

Mr Singh said he had dedicated his life to the party but could no longer continue with “bad politics”.

“Instead of dying of suffocation, it is better to die with self-respect,” Mr Singh said.

The development comes amid a public war of words between Mr Singh and sections of the State Congress. Mr. Singh had earlier accused the Congress presidents of Bharatpur and Deeg districts of the party’s performance in the civic polls, alleging that tickets were distributed to favorites while genuine workers were sidelined.

The Congress won 3,613 constituencies out of the total number of constituencies declared in the civic elections, compared to the BJP’s 4,179 constituencies.

He subsequently targeted Mr Dotasra directly and demanded his resignation, besides seeking to investigate allegations relating to recruitment exams and perks allegedly received by family members of the PCC chief.

Mr Dotasra on Thursday (October 1) dismissed suggestions of a rift in the Congress, describing reports of differences as part of the BJP’s “tool kit”.

“There are no differences between us. This is the BJP’s toolkit. The BJP is spreading propaganda and trying to show that there are differences in the Congress,” Mr Dotasra said.

Mr. Singh is a former Deeg-Kumher MLA in the Rajasthan Assembly who served as Tourism Minister in the previous Ashok Gehlot government. He contested but lost the 2023 parliamentary election.

Published – 02 October 2026 14:00 IST