Declare drought in Marathwada: Congress

Saying that water scarcity is forcing women to walk over five kms for water, and that farmlands are dry, the Congress demanded that the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP-Shiv Sena dispensation must immediately declare drought in Marathwada and North Maharashtra.

"The situation is going from bad to worse and the government must declare drought immediately in North Maharashtra and Marathwada," former chief minister and Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan said addressing a rally at Shahada in Nandurbar district in North Maharashtra.

"We are ready to come onto the streets to fight for this demand," said Chavan, who hails from Nanded in Marathwada region.

Marathwada and North Maharashtra are currently facing a serious rain scarcity. Water shortage has forced women and children to walk over five kilometres to fetch water. Farmlands, too, are dry despite Fadnavi’s flagship Jalyukt Shivar irrigation scheme. Yet, the state has taken no action on preparing for drought relief, he said.

"Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil only keeps repeating the same promise of commissioning reports, holding cabinet meetings, and asking for assistance from the Central government,” Chavan said.

Chavan also launched a direct attack on Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari. “Sometimes, Nitin Gadkari slips up and speaks the truth. In a recent TV interview, he revealed that the BJP made grand promises because they never thought they would come to power!” he said.

"From Nitin Gadkari to Amit Shah, this government has only played chunavi jumlas (hyperbole) on the people!," he said. "But Gadkari can give false promises without worrying in 2019 because the BJP will not come back to power!” he added.

Drawing attention to the 2009 loan waiver undertaken when he was the chief minister, Chavan claimed that the promises of the Devendra Fadnavis-led government existed only on paper.

"We passed Maharashtra’s historic 2009 farm loan waiver within 24 hours," said Chavan. "This government has promised waivers in every speech and press release — but farmers have still not seen any money in their bank accounts!”