Congress today criticised Maharashtra Revenue Minister and senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse for attending a film show in his native Jalgaon while "the region is reeling under unseasonal rains and hailstorms".
Khadse, along with some local BJP leaders and district officials, attended a show of an Ahirani film, 'O Tuni Maay', this afternoon.
Jalgaon district and other areas of north Maharashtra including Dhule, Nashik and Nandurbar have been receiving heavy rainfall for the past three days, resulting in damage to crops.
In a late evening release, state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the minister's act showed the government's "insensitivity to the farmers' plight".
When contacted, Khadse said the film, which is in the local Ahirani dialect, highlights the people's movements against social evils such as money-lending, dowry, etc.
He said it was necessary for the government officials to watch such films, so as to know the reality and come up with ways of finding solutions.
Stating that he would seek tax-free status for the film, the minister dismissed Congress's criticism. "After losing the election, the Congressmen do not know what they should do next. So they rake up such frivolous issues," he said.
