Rajasthan: Political battle over Yamuna water agreement escalates as BJP-Cong engage in war of words

Jaipur, June 25 (IANS) The political battle over the Yamuna Water Agreement has escalated sharply in Rajasthan, with the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress locked in a war of words over who deserves credit for bringing Yamuna waters to the parched Shekhawati region.

As former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, challenged the BJP government to deliver water on the ground rather than sign agreements, and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra dubbed the latest pact a “false MoU”, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launched a blistering counter-attack, accusing Congress of misleading the public and questioning its moral authority to comment on development.

“Congress leaders lack an understanding of even basic concepts like MoAs and MoUs. Congress possesses an incomplete understanding and vision, which is why the party’s image has become tarnished across the country,” he said.

Citing the Yamuna Water Agreement and the Kisau Dam project, he said that historic work is being done under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure water availability for the state.

In a strongly-worded response, Sharma said Congress should first account for its own five-year tenure before evaluating the BJP government’s performance over the last two-and-a-half years. He accused the previous Congress regime of pushing Rajasthan into a power crisis, allowing repeated paper leaks that jeopardised the future of the youth, and failing to deliver major water projects despite years in office.

“Before evaluating our government’s work, Congress must explain what it achieved during its five years in power. In a short span, we have delivered results in employment, power supply and water infrastructure that Congress failed to achieve during its entire tenure,” the Chief Minister said.

“The Congress pushed the future of lakhs of young people into uncertainty through paper leaks and recruitment scams. In contrast, not a single recruitment examination paper has leaked during our government’s tenure,” he claimed.

He added that the BJP government has provided employment opportunities transparently and merit-based recruitment has become the hallmark of the current administration.

Sharma also targeted the previous government over electricity management, alleging that Rajasthan faced an unprecedented power crisis under the Congress’ rule.

“Congress handed Rajasthan a power crisis. We are providing uninterrupted electricity to villages and cities and are moving towards our commitment of daytime power supply for farmers,” the Chief Minister said and added that farmers in 26 districts have already started receiving daytime electricity and the government remains committed to extending the facility across Rajasthan by 2027.

Amid Opposition criticism over the Yamuna Water project, Sharma strongly defended the agreement and accused Congress leaders of creating confusion for political gains.

He said Rajasthan’s interests are being protected through continuous engagement with the Central Government and that landmark initiatives such as the Yamuna Water Agreement and the Kisau Dam project will significantly strengthen the state’s water security.

Historic decisions are being taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure Rajasthan gets its rightful share of water, he said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came after Ashok Gehlot challenged the BJP government to translate agreements into actual water supply.

Speaking in Jodhpur, Gehlot said he would personally visit the Chief Minister’s residence and garland him if Yamuna water actually reaches Neem Ka Thana.

“Meetings alone will not bring water. Deliver the water, and I will personally go and congratulate the Chief Minister,” Gehlot had said.

Dotasra also questioned the latest agreement, alleging that Rajasthan’s interests had been compromised and describing the BJP government’s approach as an MoU exercise rather than a concrete solution.

In a social media post, Dotasra claimed that the people of Shekhawati wanted water, not paperwork, and demanded clarity on how and when the project would be implemented.

Taking his attack further, Sharma said the Congress has failed not only in governance but also in performing the role of a constructive Opposition.

“A strong Opposition is essential for democracy, but the Congress has completely failed in that responsibility. Instead of offering constructive suggestions, it remains trapped in the politics of appeasement and misinformation,” he said and asserted that the BJP government remains focussed on development, infrastructure creation and delivering on commitments made to the people of Rajasthan.

With the Yamuna Water Agreement emerging as a major political flashpoint, the exchange of sharp words between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress is expected to intensify in the coming months, particularly in the politically sensitive Shekhawati region where water remains a key electoral issue.

–IANS

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