Cong-BJP row over water for Bharatpur

A farmers’ agitation against the Rajasthan government’s decision to release water from Pachana dam to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary has acquired political overtones. The ruling BJP has alleged that local Congress leaders are instigating the farmers.

While the government has put on hold the decision to release water from the dam, Bhawani Singh Rajawat, parliamentary secretary with the rank of a minister, on Monday said local Congress leaders are behind the farmers’ campaign. But Union MoS for Environment N.N. Meena, under whose constituency the dam falls, said: ‘‘There should be no politics on the issue of protection of the sanctuary. At the same time farmers’ rights have to be safeguarded.’’