On Monday earlier this week, Gehlot at a function in Neem Ka Thana (Sikar) targeted his successor Sharma for the latter’s commitment to fetching the Yamuna water, under an accord with Haryana, to “Neem Ka Thana”, one of the towns of the Shekhawati region, which faces significant challenges regarding its water supply and quality.
File Photo: IANS
A satirical war of words on the issue of Yamuna water is on between former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and leaders of the ruling BJP — a multi-pronged one this time — involving Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and MoS Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, besides the former Congress chief minister.
On Monday earlier this week, Gehlot at a function in Neem Ka Thana (Sikar) targeted his successor Sharma for the latter’s commitment to fetching the Yamuna water, under an accord with Haryana, to “Neem Ka Thana”, one of the towns of the Shekhawati region, which faces significant challenges regarding its water supply and quality.
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The three-time ex-CM said, “Bhajan LalJi Agar Aap Yamuna Ka Pani Neem Ka Thana Le Aaoge Tau Uss Din Mein Khud Aakar Aap Ko Mala Pehnaunga (The day you fetch Yamuna water to Neem Ka Thana, I shall come personally and garland you).
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Then the Congress leader added a humorous one-liner, “Aap Lage Raho, Lage Raho, Munna Bhai MBBS Ki Tareh” (You continue like Munna Bhai MBBS).
Gehlot went on to say, “Bhajan Lal Ji, ‘Aap Bhajan Karte Ho Achi Baat Hei; Aapko Mandir Jana Acha Lagta Hei, Hamen Bhi Acha Lagta Hei. Parantu Aap Bhajan Ke Sath Sath Sankalp Bhi Karlo Ki Yamuna Ka Pani Lekar Aaunga'(You do bhajan, it is a good thing; you like going to the temple, I also like it. But along with the bhajan, you should also make a resolution that I will bring water from the Yamuna)”.
Responding, Chief Minister Sharma also opted to make a delayed but strong-worded response on Thursday. ”Congress people say that I frequent temples, would they tell me whether I should go to my places of worship?” he retorted.
Sharma added that, “Congress Ko Apni Mansikta Badalni Chahiye” (Congress is required to change its mindset)”.
In a retort, he added,” Even the former Chief Minister (Gehlot) will have to sing bhajans, because nothing is going to happen with false promises and magic.” Gehlot – the son of a renowned Magician of his times, Laxman Singh Gehlot- himself is a trained magician.
The BJP did not stop here. Minister of State for Home (MoS) Jawahar Singh Bedham also came on yesterday with a sharp quip saying “The former Chief Minister will have to wear the garland because the water of Yamuna will soon come to Shekhawati and the day former CM Ashok Gehlot comes to garland Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, we will also offer him a cup of tea.”
Then, MoS Bedham praised the progress made by the Chief Minister in the matter of the Interstate Yamuna Water Accord with Haryana. He said Chief Minister Sharma had begun on this matter with a positive approach and worked out a successful mutual accord with Haryana. This would be followed by the signing of the requisite memorandum of understanding (MoU) to pave the way for bringing Yamuna water to the Shekhawati region soon.
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