JOIN USAt a time when Marathwada is reeling under the worst drought in a century, senior Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde has come under severe criticism for clicking selfiees in the drought-hit areas and sharing them online.
Pankaja, minister for water conservation, women and child development and rural development besides being the guardian minister for the twin districts of Beed and Latur, took selfies with farmers during her visit to Latur on Sunday that went viral.
Indeed, BJP’s alliance partner Shiv Sena was the first to criticise the minister before the opposition could pounce on her for showing insensitivity, prompting Pankaja to skip a cabinet meeting that discussed the drought situation.
“Maharashtra is facing a severe drought situation and we know the conditions in Marathwada,” Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande said.
“Women and even children are going far away to fetch water. The Shiv Sena is doing lots of work. Amidst all this, some ministers are busy clicking selfies.”
Leader of the opposition in the state Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil called it, “Aabki baar selfie sarkaar,” while NCP spokesperson Malik said taking selfies instead of conducting review meetings showed the government is making a mockery of the farmers’ troubles.
“This government is not serious about drought. No planning to tackle drought even where there was sufficient data available months ahead...she is mocking the farmers,” Malik said.
In defence
Pankaja defended the selfies saying she took them to show how government’s relief measures were working.
"We took efforts to dig trenches at various places so that water could be fetched. This mostly failed. Yesterday (Sunday), while I was in Latur to take stock of the Manjara river, I saw some water which made me feel contented,” Pankaja said, explaining the reasons for the selfies.
"By levelling false allegations on me, who are these people trying to help, drought hit villagers or farmers?
“These pictures were clicked in the heat of 45 degrees C to show my appreciation for the work my department has done. There was no excitement in it, only contentment," she added.