BJP avoids discussion on water crisis in GB meet

Nagpur: Despite unprecedented water cuts in the city, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected demands to discuss the water crisis at the general body meeting on Tuesday. Opposition parties — Congress, NCP and BSP — staged a walkout, accusing the BJP of adopting an undemocratic working style, right from the Centre to the state, and in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
Adding fuel to the fire, mayor Nanda Jichkar went on to say, “There are no rains, so what you will discuss.”
NMC had avoided the regular schedule of holding a general body meet on or before July 20, and the special meeting with seven proposals was organized on Tuesday. Even while disallowing a discussion on water, the ruling party allowed a discussion, and took a decision, on the controversy related to GPS Watch System of sanitary workers, which too was not on the agenda.
Immediately after commencement of the meeting, opposition leader Tanaji Wanve demanded discussion on water crisis. Jichkar did not allow the discussion and announced proposals on the agenda.
Wanve, corporators of Congress, BSP and NCP rushed to the house’s well and staged demonstration. When Jichkar started to announce approval to proposals on the agenda, agitating corporators staged a walkout to condemn the decision not to allow discussion on water crisis.
Independent corporator Abha Pande condemned Jichkar’s statement. “Such statements from city’s first citizen are not expected, especially on serious issue like water shortage. BJP refused discussion as it feared it would be exposed before the people. In case of less rains this year, possibility of water cut should come next year. There were good rains last year, then why are we facing water cut? All such questions would have exposed BJP,” she said.
Wanve said the BJP was acting like ‘Hitler’. “As per norms, decision on implementing water cut should have been taken in the general body. But the BJP took a decision on it own without consulting anyone. Corporators are responsible to the citizens, so we should know exact reason behind water cut. Also, corporators come from across the city and aware of various things. Many of the corporators were ready with suggestions to tackle the crisis,” he said.
BSP corporator Mohammed Jamal said BJP does not respect the public and other political parties. “The BJP is overconfident that the people will accept whatever decision they are taking. But people will not tolerate it if they suffer due to mistakes of BJP. People should realize the reason behind alternate day water supply and hold BJP responsible,” he said.
NCP corporator Duneshwar Pethe said the BJP was not ready for a discussion as it wanted to hide excess water supplied to woo voters during Lok Sabha elections. “NMC was aware about chances of delayed monsoon many months ago. Still, more water than requirement was supplied in pre-election period. There are many more reasons behind prevailing cut in water supply. BJP should have organized special meeting to discuss water crisis. Unfortunately, BJP refused to discuss the issue,” he said.
Justifying the decision, ruling party leader Sandip Joshi said opposition parties want to engage in politics on water cut so discussion was not allowed. “We entertained discussion on water in meeting held last month, and also during discussion on budget. Instead of understanding reasons behind water cut, they are engaging in politics with demonstrations and agitations for last few days. Avoiding agitations, they could have met the mayor and requested a discussion. Therefore, we let them do politics on water on roads, and not in general body. Also, they wanted to demand relaxation in water bills considering water cut. All these issues are proper in current situation,” he said.