BJP ignoring state’s needs, says Chavan

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan on Thursday accused the BJP-led government of ignoring the needs of drought-affected regions in the state. He stated that the ruling party is busy interfering the institutions in the country including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

According to him, 2019 will be the worst year in the decades for Marathwada region, which is grappling with acute water scarcity, as the ruling party was ‘turning a blind eye’ to the hardships of the people. Mr Chavan was present in a rally at Udgir at Latur district of Maharashtra, which is a part of party’s state-wide Jan Sangharsh Yatra where he was speaking. As per Mr Chavan, Udgir gets water only once every 12 to 15 days.

He further stated that Marathwada is presently facing severe water scarcity. Jayakwadi dam, the lifeline of the aforesaid region, currently has only 37 per cent live storage as against 100 per cent stock reported in the year 2017. Meanwhile, Manjara Dam, Latur’s main water source has a zero per cent live story, he expressed.

Along with this, while accusing the BJP of indulging in “politics of intimidation”, he said the government wanted to take away the constitutional rights of those who opposed them. He said the CBI director was asked to go on leave because he was investigating sensitive files, including those on the Rafale deal.