Singh announced his decision on Friday, October 2, following his recent criticism of Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and local party leaders.
In a statement shared on social media, Singh said, “It is better to die with self-respect than suffocation.”
His resignation comes amid renewed discussion about internal disagreements within the Rajasthan Congress.
Vishvendra Singh Questions Party Leadership
Singh expressed disappointment over what he described as the treatment of his loyalty and dedication to the Congress.
He said he had always followed his conscience and maintained his principles throughout his public life.
The former minister also criticised what he called a culture of flattery within the party.
He stated that his supporters were angry over the prevailing situation. He added that he would continue to speak against wrongdoing rather than remain silent.
Singh further said his public life belonged to the people and that he would continue standing by his workers and constituents.
Allegations Over Bharatpur and Deeg Units
The resignation followed Singh’s September 30 criticism of Congress leaders in Bharatpur and Deeg.
He alleged that local party leaders distributed tickets to their preferred candidates while sidelining genuine party workers.
Singh questioned the leadership over the party’s performance in the two districts. He also said voters were prepared to hold local leaders accountable.
He specifically criticised Dotasra and alleged that he had misused his position during the previous Congress government to benefit family members.
These allegations remain claims made by Singh. The Congress leadership has previously rejected similar accusations.
Dotasra Rejects Claims of Internal Discord
Dotasra had dismissed reports of differences within the Rajasthan Congress as propaganda.
He denied any internal discord and accused the BJP of attempting to portray the party as divided.
Singh’s resignation has nevertheless brought attention to the disagreements involving local leadership and senior party figures.
Vishvendra Singh’s Political Career
Vishvendra Singh belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Bharatpur and is the son of its last ruler, Brijendra Singh.
He has served as a Member of Parliament and Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
Singh first entered the Lok Sabha in 1989 from Bharatpur on a Janata Dal ticket. He later joined the Congress and won the Nadbai Assembly seat in 1993.
He subsequently joined the BJP and won the Bharatpur Lok Sabha seat in 1999 and 2004.
In 2013 and 2018, he won the Deeg-Kumher Assembly constituency on Congress tickets.
Role in the 2020 Congress Rebellion
Singh was among the prominent leaders associated with Sachin Pilot’s rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government in 2020.
Following the political crisis, the Congress removed him from the Tourism Minister’s post and suspended him from the party’s primary membership.
He returned to the state Cabinet in November 2021. He again received responsibility for Tourism and Civil Aviation.
His latest resignation marks another significant development in his political journey and adds to the ongoing debate over leadership and organisational disagreements within Rajasthan Congress.