Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa is navigating a series of controversies that have cast a shadow over his recent political endeavors. Since returning from a tour of South Korea and Japan with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to attract investments for the upcoming December Investment Summit in Jaipur, Bairwa has found himself embroiled in scandal.

The first issue arose when a video surfaced showing Bairwa’s minor son driving a modified vehicle owned by Congress leader Pushpendra Bhardwaj’s son. The video also featured a state government vehicle with a police beacon escorting the jeep along Amber Road in Jaipur.

In response to social media backlash, Bairwa initially defended his son’s actions, stating that his new position as Deputy CM provided opportunities for his son to mingle with affluent individuals and experience luxury cars. As a member of the Dalit community, Bairwa expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his appointment, saying, “If wealthy individuals now allow my son to sit with them in their car and give him a chance to see luxury cars, then I am thankful.”

However, as criticism intensified, Bairwa later expressed regret over the incident, clarifying that he only owned a jeep registered in his wife’s name in their village. The Department of Transport, under Bairwa’s purview, subsequently fined his son ₹7,000 for various infractions.

As this controversy unfolded, political circles buzzed with rumors about the Delhi Police allegedly detaining a prominent Rajasthan minister in a hotel alongside a Russian woman. On October 3, Congress social media head Supriya Shrinate posted a cryptic message referencing the situation, and the following day, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) claimed that a BJP Deputy Chief Minister had been caught with a Russian woman in a five-star hotel, alleging efforts to suppress the story.

In response, the BJP dismissed these claims, with state president Madan Rathore refraining from naming anyone while denying any party leader’s involvement. However, state Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena explicitly referenced Bairwa, saying, “They are spreading rumors by telling blatant lies about Deputy Chief Minister Shri Dr. Prem Bairwa ji, who is continuously serving the people.”

Meena, who submitted his resignation as a minister in June—yet to be accepted—has frequently clashed with state BJP leadership, including the Chief Minister. Once considered a candidate for a higher position in the party after last year’s elections, he has since faced setbacks as Sharma became Chief Minister and Bairwa, along with Diya Kumari, was appointed as Deputy CM.

Given the embarrassment caused by these incidents, Sharma was summoned to Delhi from his campaign efforts in Haryana to meet with party chief J.P. Nadda and other senior leaders on October 3.

In August, Bairwa recommended the name of a retired Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) official, Ramchandra Bairwa, as the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) Registrar, despite the official not applying for the position. Although Urban Development Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra intervened, RERA ultimately appointed Rajiv Jain, citing that its chairperson had the authority to make such appointments.

In June, Bairwa had also requested the Maujmabad police station, located within his Assembly constituency of Dudu, to include 15 individuals he named in the police station’s Community Liaison Group (CLG). A complaint was later filed against Bairwa, asserting that only the Superintendent of Police can appoint CLG members; however, this complaint was subsequently withdrawn.

Speculation within the BJP suggests that Bairwa may face removal from his post following by-elections for seven Assembly seats. However, this decision could be complicated by the risk of the party being labeled anti-Dalit. Despite his relative inexperience as a second-term MLA from Dudu, the BJP appointed Bairwa Deputy CM to balance caste representation.

Amid these controversies, Bairwa has also faced backlash from some members of his own community. In August, after head police constable Babulal Bairwa allegedly died by suicide and named several officials in a note, his family protested outside the SMS hospital mortuary, demanding the arrest of the accused. During the protest, they criticized the Deputy CM for his absence, chanting “shame, shame.” The situation was resolved after five days, leading to a press conference by Bairwa and the subsequent completion of Babulal’s last rites.

Some within the BJP believe the media attention on Bairwa’s issues is disproportionate, suggesting that being a Dalit makes him an easy target. “The negative headlines for Bairwa have helped cover up the Chief Minister’s own troubles,” remarked one party leader.