The Opposition Congress in Rajasthan has questioned the lack of any Central assistance for the State’s flood-affected people, the majority of whom are yet to be rehabilitated, and absence of support to farmers reeling under a heavy debt burden. The people who had high expectations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Udaipur had been left disappointed, said the party.
The Congress also took exception to “relaunching” of the projects which were started by the previous government and said their inauguration by Mr. Modi in Udaipur on Tuesday was an attempt to win “false acclaim”. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asked why Mr. Modi could not get time to visit the State during the recent floods.
Cong bastion
The Congress, which has traditionally been in a strong position in the Udaipur's Mewar region, reacted to Mr. Modi's address at a public meeting with scepticism, while pointing out that unlike for six other States, the Prime Minister had refrained from announcing any flood relief for Rajasthan. Mr. Modi only made a reference to the State government's demand and the visit of a Central team.
Suicide by farmers
Pradesh Congress president Sachin Pilot said here on Wednesday that over 70 farmers had committed suicide in Rajasthan after they incurred heavy losses in agriculture.
The Bharatiya Janata Party government failed to take up their case with the Centre and convince the Prime Minister for announcing a loan waiver for farmers,” he said.
‘BJP has failed’
“Mr. Modi has been praising the governments in the BJP-ruled States during his visits, but he did not underline any achievement of the Rajasthan government in his Udaipur speech. This is a clear indication that the BJP here has failed on all fronts and is in fact working against people’s interest,” said Mr. Pilot.
Assembly election
Mr. Modi also did not make any clear declaration that the 2018 Assembly elections would be fought under Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s leadership, he said.
“This is also unlike other BJP-ruled States, where the choice for Chief Minister is clear. It goes to prove that Mr. Modi has no confidence in the ability and leadership qualities of Ms. Raje,” said Mr. Pilot.