With over 29, 000 villages reeling under drought, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday demanded details of money spent on irrigation works by the State government.
“This government came to power alleging corrupt practices in irrigation works by previous governments. What have they done in the field of irrigation? If they worked, then why are 29,000 villages facing drought?” asked Mr. Thackeray at a press conference in Thane.
He questioned the need for foreign tours of State officials to study water use in drought-affected areas. “These officials went to see how Israel fought the odds in desert-like condition. But when they come back, they create a desert in Maharashtra. There are social organisations working for drought mitigation, but where is the government?” he asked, adding that the role of tanker lobby in raising the severity of drought should also be probed.
The MNS chief said unlike other leaders he would prefer not to travel to drought affected areas for the sake of ‘drought tourism’. “If I am not in a position to take a decision to solve the misery of the people, I do not find any point in doing drought tourism. My party workers at various locations are doing the necessary work to fight drought,” he said.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comment on ‘cloud can help us escape radar’, Mr. Thackeray said, “Is this a joke? His statements are ensuring that the world outside makes fun of India. I think, Modi is a genius whose claims are now used by the United Nations in passing a resolution whereby all wars will be fought in rainy season to hide the identity of bombers,” he taunted.
He said that Indians never asked for an educated Prime Minister, but they wanted a sensible one. “No matter how hard he (Modi) tries to create rift within the society based on religion and caste, the people of India are sensible enough to not fall for it,” he said.
Asked for his comments on linking terrorism with a religion, Mr. Thackeray said there is nothing called Hindu or Muslim terrorism. “There is nothing called Hindu or Muslim or Christian terrorism. Terrorism should be dealt with strongly and eradicated,” he said.