Jaipur, February 17 Members of the Rajasthan Congress staged a protest on Tuesday against the ruling government over alleged cuts in the sports budget, delays in travel and dearness allowances for athletes, and the stalling of stadium construction work.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, and several other senior Congress leaders also participated in the protest. However, they were dispersed by the police, who used water cannons during an attempt to surround the state assembly building.
Workers of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee's Khel Kood Prakoshth (Sports Wing) assembled at Sahkar Bhawan in Bais Godam area before marching towards the assembly in a rally.
Police put up barricades to stop them, leading to a scuffle between the protesters and security personnel. Some workers tried to remove the barricades, after which the police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Sports wing president Amin Pathan alleged that more than 12 workers were injured in the lathicharge. "The Congress will continue its struggle on public issues," he said.
He accused the BJP government of cutting the sports budget since coming to power, delaying travel and dearness allowances, incentive amounts and scholarships for players.
Pathan also alleged that the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma dispensation has stalled stadium construction works and allowed encroachments on sports grounds.
He warned of a larger agitation if the demands were not met soon.
Dotasra said the BJP government was only indulging in vote-bank politics to divert attention from real public issues.