Terming Maharashtra Water Resource Minister Girish Mahajan's visit to the Kumbh Mela as a "shameful incident," NCP leader Sachin Ahir said here today that while his cabinet colleagues were visiting drought-hit regions, he was busy "clicking photos with his friends."
"When Girish Mahajan was getting his photos clicked at the 'shahi snan' with his friends and having fun indulging in water sports, he forgot that there are farmers who are in distress due to drought conditions in the state," Ahir told reporters here.
Ahir, who is the president of NCP's Mumbai Unit, said that photos of Mahajan enjoying 'shahi snan' at Kumbh Mela, which went viral on social media, portray that he is "insensitive" towards the plight of farmers.
"Though the Kumbh happens once in 12 years, he should have remembered that he visited the place as a representative of the state government and should have shown that he is aware of the condition of farmers," he said.
"His party (BJP) state President Raosaheb Danve, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other ministers are on a tour of drought prone regions, while Mahajan was busy with his friends posing before cameras. This is shameful for the state," Ahir said.
He said that public servants need to show restraint and not "spoil the image of the state".
"I hope Mahajan behaves better next time," Ahir said.
Mahajan, who is the Guardian Minister of Nashik, welcomed thousands of devotees, including 'mahants' of various akhadas or sects, thronging the ghats of Godavari river to take the holy dip during the first 'shahi snan' which started yesterday.
The minister had also felicitated the mahants by giving them yellow shawls.
Meanwhile, despite several attempts, Mahajan remained unavailable for comment.
