Ashok Gehlot Criticizes BJP Ahead of Panchayat Elections, Calls for Drought Contingency Plan

Jaipur, October 4: Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched a strong attack on the BJP during a media interaction in Jaipur ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections. He stated, “The people in rural areas will teach the BJP a lesson, and Congress will win the elections by a large majority.”

Gehlot also criticized the state government for its handling of the drought situation in Rajasthan. He emphasized the need for the government to take this issue seriously and to formulate a contingency plan immediately. “Rajasthan is currently facing the worst drought in nearly a decade,” he remarked.

He highlighted the urgent need for managing fodder and drinking water for both livestock and people. Gehlot demanded that the government initiate drought relief measures without delay.

‘Public Will Respond to BJP’s Misconduct in Urban Elections’

“The BJP has engaged in blatant misconduct during the urban elections. Such behavior has never been witnessed in Rajasthan’s history,” Gehlot asserted. He claimed that the public would respond to this misconduct in the Panchayat elections.

Gehlot assured that Congress would not allow BJP’s misconduct to prevail in the Panchayat elections, predicting a significant victory for his party in rural areas.

‘NREGA Has Stopped, No Job Guarantees’

Gehlot accused the government of halting the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), resulting in a lack of job guarantees for the people. He explained that previously, work was provided upon request, and compensation was given if work was not available. However, he noted that this situation has changed.

He stated that it is now up to state governments to decide whether to open job opportunities. Gehlot warned that areas affected by drought would suffer the consequences of this inaction.

‘Tube Wells and NREGA Mitigated Drought Impact’

Gehlot remarked that while Rajasthan has historically faced droughts, the introduction of tube wells, hand pumps in cities, and the implementation of NREGA had significantly reduced their impact. He suggested that these developments had led people to forget the severity of drought conditions.

Questions Raised on CM’s Announcement in Barmer

Gehlot also questioned the Chief Minister’s announcement made in Barmer regarding funding, stating that despite the promise to increase funds by December, the order had not reached the district collector even three days later.

According to Gehlot, the Chief Minister’s directive remained “just on paper.” He stressed that serious attention to such matters is essential for effectively combating drought.

Suggestion: Government Should Waive Farmers’ Loans

Gehlot suggested that the government should prioritize waiving farmers’ loans, recalling that his administration had previously waived loans worth ₹14,000 crore. He noted that Congress leaders in Maharashtra are making similar demands regarding drought relief.

Congress to Monitor Drought Relief Efforts

Gehlot announced that Congress officials at the block, district, and state levels would visit drought relief operations in Rajasthan. He insisted that these visits would only be meaningful if work opportunities were opened.

He emphasized the need to ensure that aid reaches the poor, payments are made on time, and there is adequate management of fodder and drinking water. Gehlot recalled that during Sonia Gandhi’s tenure, district Congress committees were transformed into drought relief committees whenever droughts occurred. He assured that the state Congress committee would not fall short this time and would maintain pressure on the government.

State Records 22% Less Rainfall, Dry Weather Expected Until October 10

The monsoon has officially ended in Rajasthan, with the state recording approximately 22% less rainfall than normal this season. According to the weather center in Jaipur’s report on October 4, no rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours, with Pilani reaching a maximum temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius. The department has forecasted dry weather for both eastern and western Rajasthan from October 4 to October 10.

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Ganpat Singh Chouhan: My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.