JAISALMER: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot Monday said the Congress would launch protests across the country against the proposed delimitation bill, alleging the Centre was trying to push through far-reaching changes without taking the opposition into confidence. He demanded that the govt convene an all-party meeting before moving ahead with the legislation, calling delimitation a matter that impacts the foundations of representative democracy.Speaking at a news conference during the second day of his two-day visit to Jaisalmer, Gehlot alleged the Centre was attempting to revive a proposal that the opposition and the INDIA bloc had collectively opposed in Parliament. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were continuously raising objections and sought broader political consultation rather than what he described as selective outreach by BJP to individual parties.Separately, Gehlot flagged what he described as a worsening drought situation in western Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur divisions. He alleged inadequate relief measures and said rural communities were facing acute shortages of drinking water and fodder. Citing fodder prices of Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg, he demanded immediate opening of fodder depots and cattle camps, deployment of water tankers, and assured employment for rural households.He also alleged MGNREGA work had stalled in several areas and that crop-loss assessments were not being conducted properly. Recalling measures during his tenure, including water supplied via trains and tankers, Gehlot urged the current govt to seek a central relief package and roll out emergency steps without delay.
