The Congress on Monday ‘invited’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi to spend Diwali with the drought-hit farmers of Marathwada region to understand their distress.
“The PM wished the nation ‘Happy Diwali’ in his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ yesterday (Sunday), but how will the farmers of Marathwada battling severe water crisis celebrate the festival of lights,” state Congress President Ashok Chavan said during the party’s ongoing ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra’ in Parbhani on Monday.
He urged Modi to immediately announce central assistance for the drought-affected regions in the state. Chavan also sought a relief package, clean drinking water and uninterrupted power supply as the “best Diwali gift” for the state’s agrarian community.
Chavan slammed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for giving media interviews to celebrate his government’s four years in power (on October 31), asking him to personally supervise relief work for the drought-affected regions.
“Instead of giving interviews in Mumbai about the drought in Maharashtra, he should personally remain present in Marathwada to listen to the farmers’ grievances,” the former Chief Minister said.