Baran (Rajasthan), June 13: Setting out on a two-day tour of Rajasthan to boost the Gehlot government's stocks ahead of the coming assembly elections, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today visited more than half a dozen villages in Baran district, the worst affected by drought. Gandhi, accompanied by her party general secretary Ambika Soni, arrived by air from Gwaliar at Hanotia helipad near Shahbad this morning where she was warmly received by chief minister Ashok Gehlot and pradesh Congress committee chief Girija Vyas.

She then drove straight to Mundiyar by car and visited Samarania, Kelwara, Bhanwargarh, Rampura and Kishenganj on the way where drought-stricken people had been employed on relief works being run by the state government.

While Gehlot briefed her about the steps being taken by his government for the welfare of labourers on the relief works, she personally inquired from the people about the arrangements for drinking water and timely payment of wages.
Large number of villagers, particularly women, had assembled at several places to greet her.

Gandhi will fly to Jhalawar later today to address a farmers rally there.

After her overnight stay at Ranthambhore Tiger National Park, she will go to Tonk and Ajmer districts tomorrow to visit Hindu pilgrimage centre Pushkar and Dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moninuddin Chisti and to address a conference for empowerment of women in Ajmer.

Bureau Report