Opposition slams Mahajan over rats comment

Mumbai: Controversy has erupted over state irrigation minister Girish Mahajan’s comments about the damage to the Pune canal. After visiting the broken canal in Pune on Friday, Mr Mahajan said that his officers had blamed rats and crabs for the damage.

No sooner, the Opposition slammed Mr Mahajan for his statement whereas the Shiv Sena taunted him, asking him to find out who were those rats and crabs working in the irrigation department.

Around 15 metres of the Mula Mutha canal near Parvati in Pune city was broken, causing unexpected floods in the vicinity. Almost 200 households got flooded and hundreds of people were affected. The authorities claimed that it was an accident but the political blame game also started.

Visiting the place on Friday, Mr Mahajan said, “Officers are telling me that rats and crabs are responsible for the damage. I have asked them to form an investigation committee and come out with a report. I will wait for the report and take action accordingly.”

Taking objection, Cong-ress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “This shows what’s going on in the irrigation department. Rats and crabs are eating into the state’s economy. Such reason is hypocrisy and the minister should inform the people about the action.”

After visiting the location, Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said, “Wires of private companies were kept on the walls of the canals. This is illegal. So now, the minister should find out who are the rats and who are the crabs.”