Water vowes dominate poll promises in election bound Rajasthan

The issue of water today dominated political public meetings in poll-bound Rajasthan with the ruling Congress claiming that everything possible was done to provide potable water and the BJP, in disagreement to it, promised drinking water facility to people if voted to power.
Besides the blame-game on different issues, focus of politicians of both the parties revolved around water in their Yatras which are underway in separate areas in the state.
"Congress always gave new dimensions to water and irrigation projects in the state. A big project of Indira Gandhi canal was initiated in the state post independence which benefited Western Rajasthan. Besides, arrangement was made to supply water from Bisalpur dam to cities like Jaipur, Ajmer and Bhilwara," PCC President Dr Chandrabhan said at a meeting under 'Congress Sandesh Yatra' in Tonk district's Uniyara town.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, while pointing out at geographical location of the state and limited availability of ground water, insisted that people of the desert state understand the value of water.
The Chief Minister claimed that despite all adverse conditions, his government has taken several steps to provide potable water to remote areas in the state and water-related projects were sanctioned for the same.
He also accused BJP of indulging in negative politics.

On the other hand, BJP state president Vasundhara Raje promised to provide safe water and 24-hour electricity if voted to power in the ensuring assembly elections.
Speaking at Suraj Sankalp Yatra in Nagaur, Raje alleged that the state government did nothing for the welfare of the state and to provide basic amenities and promised that she would provide safe water and round the clock power supply in the state and make a 'new Rajasthan' if her party got the mandate of people.

She mentioned that BJP ruled Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh state government worked well for the growth of their respective states but Rajasthan ruled by Congress was far behind from growth under the Congress rule.
Raje also blamed the state government for trying to target leader of opposition Gulabchand Kataria by falsely implicating him in Sohrabuddin encounter case through CBI and said the party was standing by him.