The political row over the Yamuna Water Agreement has sharpened in Rajasthan, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition Indian National Congress (INC) trading barbs over who deserves credit for securing water for the drought-prone Shekhawati region. The dispute, which erupted on 25 June, centres on whether the latest pact represents a genuine breakthrough or, as Congress alleges, little more than a paper exercise.

Chief Minister Sharma's Counter-Attack

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launched a sharp rebuttal against Congress critics, accusing the party of spreading confusion for political gain. 'Congress leaders lack an understanding of even basic concepts like MoAs and MoUs. Congress possesses an incomplete understanding and vision, which is why the party's image has become tarnished across the country,' Sharma said. He cited the Yamuna Water Agreement and the Kisau Dam project as evidence of historic progress being made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure water availability for Rajasthan.

Sharma also challenged Congress to account for its own five-year tenure before questioning the BJP government's performance over the past two-and-a-half years. He alleged the previous Congress administration had pushed Rajasthan into a power crisis and allowed repeated paper leaks that jeopardised employment opportunities for the state's youth. 'In a short span, we have delivered results in employment, power supply and water infrastructure that Congress failed to achieve during its entire tenure,' he said.

Gehlot's Challenge and Dotasra's Allegations

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, speaking in Jodhpur, challenged the BJP government to translate agreements into actual water delivery. 'Meetings alone will not bring water. Deliver the water, and I will personally go and congratulate the Chief Minister,' Gehlot said, adding that he would personally visit Chief Minister Sharma's residence and garland him if Yamuna water actually reaches Neem Ka Thana.

Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra went further, describing the latest pact as a 'false MoU' and alleging that Rajasthan's interests had been compromised. In a social media post, Dotasra claimed that the people of Shekhawati wanted water, not paperwork, and demanded clarity on the project's implementation timeline.

BJP's Claims on Power and Recruitment

Sharma broadened his attack to cover electricity supply and recruitment integrity. He claimed that farmers in 26 districts have already begun receiving daytime electricity and that the government is committed to extending the facility across Rajasthan by 2027. He also asserted that not a single recruitment examination paper has leaked under the current BJP administration, contrasting it with what he described as widespread recruitment scams under the previous Congress regime.

Shekhawati: The Electoral Fault Line

Water access has long been a defining electoral issue in the Shekhawati region, making the Yamuna Water Agreement a potent political symbol. Analysts note that with the BJP and Congress both staking claims to the project, the dispute is likely to intensify ahead of future state elections. The Kisau Dam project, which is central to channelling Yamuna waters into Rajasthan, remains at an early stage, and the absence of a firm delivery timeline has given Opposition leaders fresh ammunition. The exchange is expected to escalate in the coming months as both parties seek to consolidate their standing in this politically sensitive belt.