Sonia says Tonk firing barbaric, to give relief

The Congress chief visited the houses of the five firing victims on a day when Tonk was lashed by heavy rain. Commiserating with the bereaved families in Bavari and Jhirana villages, Sonia inquired about the injured who are undergoing treatment at the Tonk district hospital.

Promising action against those guilty of killing the farmers, Sonia said: “Yeh sab kya ho gaya, kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha…Farmers should get their share of water.”

The Rajasthan unit of the Congress has been demanding imposition of President’s rule but Sonia steered clear of the controversy. She remained silent when asked if she would press for the dismissal of the Raje Government. However, Sonia’s visit is likely to lead to another round of finger-pointing between Congress and BJP.

Former Tonk MLA Surendra Vyas said Raje had told Tonk farmers in the run-up to the Assembly elections that they would have access to Bisalpur water if the BJP came to power. “The BJP failed to fulfil its promise. This angered the farmers,” he said.