PM Manmohan singh address rally at Bikaner and Jodhpur

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, addressing an election rally in Jodhpur, joined chief minister Ashok Gehlot in hitting out at the previous Vasundhara Raje government in the state. "We never discriminated against any state in extending benefits but the previous state government had a non-cooperative attitude towards the Centre. We had a tough time managing the affairs with them and as a result people were deprived of the maximum benefits from the Centre," the Prime Minister said. "Jaisalmer is also going to be on the air traffic network soon. Jaipur, Bhiwadi, Jodhpur and Bikaner are being developed as new economic zones and the government is mulling special import relaxation for the marble and stone industries," said PM Manmohan Singh.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bikaner was meant to bolster the prospects of Congress candidate Rewat Ram Panwar but low public turnout in the election meeting at Karni Singh Stadium showed poor planning by the local leaders. Initially, Congress leaders planned to organize an interaction meeting of prime minister with a select group of intellectuals. However, senior leader B D Kalla insisted that a public meeting should be organized. Therefore, the party dropped the interaction meeting plan and decided to organize a public meeting only a day before the PM's visit as a result bikaner get less gathering in PM Rally at Bikaner.