Maharashtra under ‘shadow of drought’, says Sharad Pawar; calls for all-party meet

Expressing concern on the drought-like situation afflicting many parts of Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Friday urged the Mahayuti government to take the crisis seriously. Mr. Pawar also urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to call an all-party meeting in the next few days to discuss enhancing relief measures for the affected districts. At the same time, Mr. Pawar, speaking in Mumbai, approved of the government’s stance in urging the Election Commission of India to ease enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in order provide relief to the drought-hit areas given that the Lok Sabha election process had concluded in Maharashtra. When asked about the absence of Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde during a drought review meeting headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Sambhajinagar on Thursday, Mr. Pawar said it was “serious” if true said Mr. Shinde should take note of the matter. Even as Mr. Pawar stressed there was no question of any politicking over the drought issue, Maharashtra Deputy CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis accused Mr. Pawar and the Opposition leaders of making statements with a ‘negative mentality.’ “Despite the election campaigning, the government has remained sensitive to the needs of drought-stricken villages and has ensured supply through tankers.