Panchna Dam dispute: BJP's Rathore slams Gehlot for inaction during Congress rule
Synopsis
BJP Rajasthan president Madan Rathore has turned Ashok Gehlot's criticism of the current government over the Panchna Dam dispute into a counter-offensive — demanding the Congress explain why the issue stayed unresolved across years of its own rule. The exchange signals that the dam dispute, long a source of local hardship, is now a live political battleground ahead of any future electoral cycle.
Key Takeaways
BJP Rajasthan State President Madan Rathore on Monday accused former CM Ashok Gehlot of failing to resolve the Panchna Dam dispute during the Congress government's tenure.
Rathore alleged the dispute caused prolonged hardship for residents and that the Gehlot administration took no effective initiative toward resolution.
He questioned why Gehlot is raising the issue now, having not acted when he held the Chief Minister's office.
The Bhajanlal Sharma -led BJP government claims it is in active dialogue with all stakeholders and working toward a permanent, balanced solution.
No specific timeline for resolution has been announced by the state government.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajasthan State President Madan Rathore on Monday launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, accusing the Congress leader of political posturing over the long-pending Panchna Dam dispute after failing to resolve it during his own tenure. Rathore's remarks came in Jaipur as the BJP sought to turn the controversy back on the opposition.
BJP's Core Charge Against Gehlot
Rathore alleged that the Panchna Dam dispute remained unresolved throughout the previous Congress government's tenure, causing prolonged hardship for residents of the affected region. He argued that despite having ample time and authority, the Gehlot administration took no effective initiative to find a lasting solution.
'The people have a right to know what steps the Congress government took to resolve this important matter despite being in power for several years,' Rathore said.
Rathore Questions Gehlot's Credibility
The BJP state president questioned why Gehlot, if genuinely concerned about the dam dispute, had not acted when he held the Chief Minister's office. Rathore contended that those who failed to resolve the issue while in power were now attempting to mislead the public through political accusations — a charge the Congress has not yet formally responded to.
He added that it was inappropriate to raise questions today about an issue that had remained pending under the previous government's watch.
What the Bhajanlal Government Claims It Is Doing
Rathore asserted that the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma-led state government was treating the Panchna Dam matter with seriousness and was actively working toward a resolution. He said the administration was maintaining regular dialogue with all concerned stakeholders and was committed to finding a permanent, balanced, and mutually acceptable solution through consensus and administrative coordination.
He emphasised that issues directly affecting public welfare should be addressed through constructive, solution-oriented efforts rather than political rhetoric.
Background: The Panchna Dam Dispute
The Panchna Dam, located in Rajasthan, has been a source of prolonged inter-stakeholder conflict over water sharing and related concerns. The dispute predates the current government and has passed through multiple administrations without a definitive resolution, making it a recurring flashpoint in state politics. This comes amid a broader pattern of the BJP and Congress trading blame over legacy infrastructure and water-resource disputes in the state.
What Comes Next
The BJP government has not announced a specific timeline for resolving the dispute, but Rathore reiterated the administration's commitment to accountability, transparency, and public interest. Whether the renewed political attention translates into concrete administrative action on the ground remains to be seen.
Point of View
Across multiple years in power, not resolve a dispute that demonstrably hurt residents? The BJP's claim of 'active dialogue' is, however, equally unverified; no timeline, no stakeholder list, no process document has been made public. Until the Bhajanlal government produces measurable progress, its counter-attack risks looking as hollow as the inaction it condemns. The Panchna Dam issue is a reminder that in Rajasthan, water disputes are never just administrative — they are electoral currency, and both parties are spending it carefully.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Panchna Dam dispute in Rajasthan?
The Panchna Dam dispute is a long-pending conflict in Rajasthan involving water-sharing and related stakeholder concerns that has remained unresolved across multiple state governments. It has caused prolonged hardship for residents of the affected region and has become a recurring political flashpoint.
What did BJP's Madan Rathore say about Ashok Gehlot and the Panchna Dam?
Rathore accused Gehlot of failing to take any effective initiative to resolve the Panchna Dam dispute during his tenure as Chief Minister, and said those who could not act while in power have no credibility raising the issue now. He demanded the Congress explain what concrete steps it took during its years in government.
What is the Bhajanlal Sharma government doing about the Panchna Dam issue?
According to Rathore, the BJP state government is maintaining regular dialogue with all concerned stakeholders and is working toward a permanent, balanced, and mutually acceptable resolution through consensus and administrative coordination. No specific deadline has been publicly announced.
Why has the Panchna Dam dispute resurfaced politically?
The dispute has resurfaced because former CM Ashok Gehlot reportedly made remarks criticising the current government's handling of the matter, prompting a sharp counter-response from BJP state president Madan Rathore. Both parties are now trading blame over which administration bears responsibility for the unresolved issue.
Who is affected by the Panchna Dam dispute?
Residents of the region surrounding the Panchna Dam in Rajasthan are the primary people affected, according to BJP state president Madan Rathore, who cited 'prolonged hardship' caused by the unresolved dispute.
