Jaipur, Dec 23 (NationPress) The president of Rajasthan Congress, Govind Singh Dotasra, has vehemently criticized both the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Rajasthan regarding the Aravalli issue, accusing them of orchestrating a meticulous scheme to exploit the Aravalli mountain range.

He asserted that the nation’s natural assets are being “methodically plundered” and that the BJP has finalized its strategy to expose the Aravallis to the mining mafia.

Dotasra contended that the report presented by the Central government to the Supreme Court was crafted under duress, clearly indicating the BJP’s plans to jeopardize the Aravalli range, which he referred to as Rajasthan’s lifeline.

He cautioned that due to recent occurrences, almost 90 percent of the Aravalli range might face destruction, with extensive areas being allocated to mining interests.

While speaking to the press at the state Congress office in Jaipur, Dotasra accused the BJP of strategically placing leaders from Alwar in influential roles to advance this agenda.

He mentioned that Bhupender Yadav, the MP from Alwar, was appointed as the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Sanjay Sharma was named as Rajasthan’s Forest Minister, as part of a deliberate strategy.

“An inexperienced individual has been granted power in the state, ensuring compliance with arbitrary Central decisions,” Dotasra accused.

Referring to the “Illegal Mining Corridor” mentioned in the BJP’s election manifesto, Dotasra argued that the party had pledged to establish a green corridor in collaboration with the Centre to safeguard the Aravallis.

“Conversely, both the Central and state governments have transformed the Aravalli range into an illegal mining corridor,” he alleged.

Drawing a comparison with the electoral bonds controversy, he stated that just as central agencies had been allegedly misused in the past, mining leases would now serve to extract contributions from mafias and favored industrialists. He highlighted that Rajasthan already holds the highest number of mining leases in the nation and questioned the rationale behind attempts to modify the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) area of Sariska.

“The Supreme Court thwarted that attempt. That conspiracy was met with firm resistance, and now a new conspiracy is underway,” he stated.

Dotasra voiced concerns that in Rajasthan, the Chief Minister holds both the Mining and Home portfolios, while the Union Environment Minister also hails from Rajasthan.

“All of them are conspiring together. BJP leaders are on a path to obliterate the Aravalli range, which symbolizes faith and serves as the ecological backbone of the state,” he said.

He also criticized BJP representatives Arun Chaturvedi and Rajendra Rathore for commenting on the issue instead of the Mining Minister.

Dotasra accused Arun Chaturvedi, despite being the chairman of the Rajasthan Finance Commission, an autonomous constitutional entity, of acting like a BJP spokesperson.

“Political interference in such institutions should be avoided,” he emphasized.

Dotasra charged the BJP with hypocrisy, asserting that while the party seeks votes in the name of Sanatan Dharma, it simultaneously permits mining in regions that contain historic religious and cultural sites.

He enumerated several shrines situated in the Aravalli range, including Parshuram Mahadev (Pali), Harshnath (Sikar), Pandupole Hanuman Temple and Neelkanth Mahadev (Alwar), Galta and Khole Ke Hanumanji (Jaipur), Eklingji and Rishabhdev (Udaipur), Lohargal (Jhunjhunu), Delwara, Achalgarh, and Kumbhalgarh.

“These temples represent our centers of faith and worship. The destruction of their geographical and ecological surroundings is solely driven by greed,” Dotasra claimed, adding that the BJP “utilizes money to destabilize governments and seize control.”

He reaffirmed that the Congress party would persist in opposing any actions that jeopardize the Aravalli range and demanded full transparency and accountability from both the Central and state governments.