Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s much-publicised ‘Gaurav Yatra’ has seemingly lost its steam after Gujjars’ threat to disrupt it in Bharatpur division and the High Court’s notice on a public interest litigation alleging that public money was being spent on it.
The Yatra was suspended last week following the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
BJP State president Madan Lal Saini has announced that the Yatra’s second leg will start in Jodhpur division on August 24. The Yatra will bypass the Assembly segments in eastern Rajasthan where Gujjars have been holding protests demanding 5% reservation and withdrawal of police cases against the community members who were detained during the previous agitations.
‘Joint struggle’
Ahead of the Yatra in the Jodhpur region, Gujjar supremo Kirori Singh Bainsla visited the city on Sunday and addressed events where the demand for reservation for Rebari and Rajput communities was raised. Col. Bainsla said the socially backward communities would wage a “joint struggle” to get their rights and accused the ruling BJP of going back on its promises.
Amid indications that the BJP has skipped the Bharatpur division fearing Gujjars’ protest, Col. Bainsla said the Yatra would be opposed in Jodhpur as well. The State government had earlier invited Gujjars to Jaipur to discuss their demands with a Cabinet sub-committee, but only a splinter group led by Himmat Singh attended the talks, adding to the prevailing confusion.
The Congress, which plans to start its own ‘Sankalp Yatra’ from Chittorgarh on August 24, has launched a frontal attack on Ms. Raje’s Yatra and demanded its immediate cancellation, alleging that it is misusing the government funds. Pradesh Congress president Sachin Pilot said on Monday that tenders were being invited for the ‘Gaurav Yatra’ programmes even after the matter had gone to the High Court.
‘Unethical march’
While Mr. Pilot described the Yatra as Ms. Raje’s “unethical march” when the farmers in the State were committing suicide, AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot said the misuse of public money through government officials, engineers and contractors was unprecedented.
The PIL in the High Court has been listed for hearing on Tuesday. After the State government informed the court that the orders issued on August 1 to the PWD to make arrangements for the Yatra had been withdrawn, the court has asked the BJP to submit the details of expenses incurred.
Meanwhile, Rajputs and the Jats are planning to hold parallel events in Jodhpur division.
