The upcoming assembly election is not just about Rajasthan, it is also about Congress’ future, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Wednesday, and added that the country needed the party.

Urging party leaders to reject politics and make Congress candidates win the polls, Ashok Gehlot said that such leaders could later be given official positions by the government.

The party would resolve the issues with those who could not be given a ticket to contest the polls, the chief minister said.

Assembly elections are due in the state on November 25, and counting of votes will be done on December 3.

“Even if we could not give tickets to those who stood by us and to those who saved our government, we have told them to help elect candidates who are contesting for the party. Leave all kinds of politics. Nation is first. The entire country today needs the Congress party,” Ashok Gehlot said.  

“The election is not just about Rajasthan but it is also an election of Congress’ future. If they (party leaders) will make the party win the elections then they will be adjusted in boards after elections. If needed, we will give them the status of ministers.”  The chief minister said that it is natural that there is some resentment after ticket distribution among some party workers even though it was done after collective discussions. Still, there can be some complaints, he added.  He exuded confidence that Congress would win the elections.

Replying to a question on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot said, “It is a bulldozer government there. Is this the way to rule? Is it a democracy? Some people become happy due to their words. But if there is no rule of the law then we will also not be secure. Rule of the law is important for everyone.”  “They have destroyed law and order. You can imagine where they are taking the country. I don’t want to get into it,” he said. 

Asserting that the recently-concluded Durga Puja was “peaceful”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the state witnessed business of over Rs 85,000 crore and employment generation for around 3 lakh people during the festivities.

Referring to a survey by the British Council which stated that West Bengal recorded a business of Rs 72,000 crore during this year’s Durga Puja, a seemingly happy Mamata Banerjee said she hoped that the business will grow in the coming years.

“Durga Puja has reached a new height this year. In the coming years, we will organise it in a bigger way. A British Council research stated that this year, there was business of around Rs 72,000 crore but I believe that it will be around Rs 80,000 crore to Rs 85,000 crore. Over 3 lakh job opportunities were created, which is a big gain for the poor,” Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.

“Last time, some people moved the court because I had given some funds to clubs. I give money to the clubs because they do social work. If I can earn Rs 72,000 crore by spending Rs 300 crore then it should be an economic model. All the money may not come to us, but it’s good that so many people have earned it,” she said.

The Mamata Banerjee government provided financial aid of Rs 70,000 to each of the 40,000 clubs that organised Durga Puja this year.

Mamata Banerjee also lauded the people of the state, administration and the police for “peaceful” Durga Puja celebrations.

“Durga Puja was held peacefully and the credit goes to the clubs, housing societies, media, administration, police and civic society. People from all religions participated in the celebration and not a single incident was reported from anywhere in the state,” she said.

Mamata Banerjee, who was on “restricted movement” for swelling in her left knee after returning from a 12-day trip to Spain and the UAE, said, “My infection had turned septic due to wrong treatment. I could not move out of my bed for seven days.” The Chief Minister said that despite her injuries, she had attended office from home.

“Despite all these hurdles, I had gone through the papers that reached me from my office every day. I held meetings with various officials,” she said. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoyed a Halloween night of trick-or-treating with their two young children, Archie and Lilibet. The family was spotted near their Montecito home, with Archie dressed as a skeleton and Meghan carrying Lilibet in a pink outfit. They walked along streets, blending in with other families, and were captured in a heartwarming video that went viral. This is not the first time Harry and Meghan have celebrated Halloween, as they previously had night out with Eugenie.