Party leaders and thousands of farmers blocked guardian minister Girish Mahajan’s vehicle, bombarding him with uncomfortable questions while asking him to resign on Saturday afternoon. The police had to use force to make way for the minister’s vehicle to travel to the Collector’s compound where a meeting had been summoned.
Local farmers and political parties are enraged over the government’s decision to release water to Jayakwadi reservoir in Aurangabad. This has caused water shortage and drinking water cuts will be implemented while Nashik farmers may or may not get water for irrigation.
The Saturday meeting had been summoned to discuss and finalise reservation of water for drinking, irrigation and industry. This was also Mr Mahajan’s first meeting in Nashik since the release of water to Jayakwadi.
Parties including the Congress, Shiv Sena, NCP, MNS and others laid siege at the Collector’s office. Scores of police had cordoned off the compound but hundreds of farmers managed to enter the compound and sit on the lawns. The agitators shouted, “Chale Jao, Chale Jao, Murdabad Murdabad, Palak Mantri (Guardian Minister) Murdabad. When Mr Mahajan’s vehicle did not arrive at the scheduled time of 1pm, slogans of “Palak mantri ghabarla” (Guardian Minister is scared) were raised.
Sena MLA Yogesh Gholap said that the Guardian Minister is the Guardian of the district and responsibility of irrigation is his and he should provide water. MLA Nirhari Zirwal said that they were told about the meeting at 7 am and had to hurry for it. “We need people like former minister Chhagan Bhujbal for Nashik,” he said.
Congress city president Sharad Aher said that their slogans of ‘go back’ meant that the minister should resign. “He has let down the district under his care and has no authority to continue in office. The Government should give the post to any BJP minister,” said Mr Aher.
