He further alleged that the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), recently renamed PKC-ERCP, lacks any real substance. “Even the government admits nothing concrete will happen for the next nine years. Then why mislead the public?” he questioned.Gehlot added, “My complaint with Vasundhara Raje is that as a two-time Chief Minister, she should raise her voice for the whole of Rajasthan. Claiming that water won’t reach Jhalawar alone is misleading. If she truly has political integrity, she should call a press conference and tell the public whether there’s any real value in this new agreement.”His pointed remarks have triggered unease within political corridors from Jaipur to Delhi.In response, Rajasthan BJP state president Madan Rathore countered Gehlot’s allegations. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Rathore said, “Ashok Gehlot is shedding crocodile tears. He has been Chief Minister three times and ruled for 15 years. If he’s so concerned about the water situation now, why is the state still facing these problems? He should answer that too.”Rathore accused Gehlot’s government of stalling the ERCP project for five years. “The central government repeatedly invited representatives from the Congress government for discussions, but no one showed up. Now Gehlot is making statements. Magic wands don’t work. Nothing happens by making noise,” he said.Backing Vasundhara Raje’s criticism, Rathore added, “She hasn’t said anything wrong. If officers are negligent, action should be taken.”As the water crisis debate intensifies, with sharp exchanges between senior leaders of both parties, political observers are keenly watching to see how far this controversy — sparked by Raje’s initial remarks — will spread in Rajasthan’s political landscape.
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