Jaipur: The decision of scrapping nine districts and three divisions has turned into a backlash as protests have started in various cities against the Bhajan Lal government in Rajasthan.
Opposition Congress, different organizations and people have warned of violent agitation if the districts are not restored.
The major protests were seen in Anupgarh, Sanchore, Neem ka Thana and Gangapur City. Many organizations staged a dharna at the Collectorate in Anupgarh on Monday. Earlier on Sunday evening, local BJP leaders of Anupgarh had resigned and people had blocked the Bikaner-Sriganganagar National Highway No. 911.
While in Neem ka Thana, large number of people reached the Collectorate under the leadership of Neemkathana MLA Suresh Modi and handed over a memorandum to the Collector. Zilla Parishad member Praveen Jakhar said that markets will remain close until further decision and there will be a hunger strike from tomorrow.
In Sanchore, the markets remained closed against the government decision while a Mahapadav has been started under the leadership of former Minister Sukhram Bishnoi on Monday.
Similar protests were seen in Gangapur City and Shahpura. Congress MLA from Gangapur City Ramkesh Meena said that Gangapur City is fulfilling all the criteria for a district. People will be made aware against the government by visiting every village.
Notably, the Bhajan Lal government on Saturday had scrapped nine districts and three divisions created by the previous Ashok Gehlot government.
Making a strong reaction to this, former CM Ashok Gehlot said, "we had created new districts after full preparation. Government schemes could have been implemented better in small districts.
BJP should tell when Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had created the districts, what infrastructure did he develop then? All the officers are appointed only after announcing the district.
“Former CM Gehlot said that there are many neighboring states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh which are smaller than Rajasthan, but the number of districts there is more.
While, BJP state president Madan Rathod said that Former CM Ashok Gehlot had created districts for the political reasons and to please the MLAs who saved his minority government.
“ It was because of the independent and some Congress MLAs that Gehlot's minority government was able to survive. To satisfy those MLAs, he hastily created districts," said BJP president.
