A former Maharashtra minister today called upon Congress president Sonia Gandhi to raise the issue of drought in the state, and urged her to mount pressure on the Centre just like the party previously did over land acquisition ordinance in Parliament during Monsoon Session.
Speaking to reporters here, former Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe accused the Devendra Fadnavis-led dispensation in the state of being "insensitive" towards farmers in distress, and said that therefore, the issue needs to be followed up at central-level as well.
"The Maharashtra government is not handling drought situation in the state properly, unlike the previous administration led by us. I requested Sonia ji to mount pressure on Centre over the issue so it sends additional assistance to the state," he said.
Lambasting Fadnavis over his upcoming visit to Japan, Moghe said the BJP leader should make more trips to drought-hit areas "on humanitarian ground".
"This government is not sensitive. Instead of visiting distressed people, the CM is roaming in Mumbai, Nagpur and other places," Moghe slammed.
He appreciated the fight put up by the party's central leadership against BJP-led NDA government's Land Acquisition Ordinance, which he said had left peasants "worried".
He claimed that Gandhi gave her 'in-principle' nod to attend party's proposed rally to raise issues pertaining to tribals. The rally is likely to be held in October.
"I also discussed with Sonia ji issues relating strengthening our party units in 10-11 districts including Osmanabad, Beed, Akola, Thane, Palghar, Jalgaon and some in Western Maharashtra and Konkan regions.
"We need to appoint adhoc committees, a decision which only madam can take. She has assured she will speak to MPCC chief Ashok Chavan in this regard," Moghe said, adding he had discussed the issue with Chavan as well.
Moghe expressed concerns over "some communities" in Maharashtra trying to be called as tribals and claimed that two-three Congress MLAs were also openly supporting the idea.
"So, I asked Sonia ji to tell Chavan to check this... For, if protests happen over the issue, this will go against party," Moghe said.
