Senior Congress netas skip local unit's stir on water woes in Sambhajinagar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The local Congress unit on Thursday conducted a protest — over water issues in the city — that was not attended by senior party functionaries, like state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal as well as district chief and Jalna MP Kalyan Kale.
Local party members said Sapkal was less likely to join the protest due to other commitments, whereas Kale, according to them, was unwell.
The protesters gathered in front of the
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation
(CSMC) building and raised slogans against govt and civic authorities for the historic city's water woes. They carried placards displaying empty water pots and played satirical songs performed by local artists.
Local Congress functionary Pawan Donagare said saffron parties were responsible for the situation. "Despite enjoying a long rule in CSMC, saffron parties have failed on different fronts. The BJP-led govt is to be equally blamed as it failed to prevail upon authorities for executing the
water supply project
," he said.
Protesters also alleged that ruling party leaders and a section of civic authorities are colluding with private tanker suppliers to ensure dependence of residents.
"If the water woes are not addressed, we urge citizens to not pay water bills. Also, the local body must ensure water tankers in Satara-Deolai and other areas where tap water supply is still a distant dream," Congress functionary Vishal Banswal said.
Meanwhile, coinciding with the Congress agitation, BJP leaders held a media briefing on Thursday to launch a counterattack. "The new water supply project slowed down during the MVA rule. We put it right on track after returning to power. The project is expected to get partially commissioned in the next six months," BJP MLA and cabinet minister Atul Save said, terming the Congress protest as politically motivated ahead of civic polls.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
37 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad stages protest against land transfer to Adani
Mumbai Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad led a protest on Sunday (June 8, 2025) against handing over the Mother Dairy land parcel in Mumbai's Kurla to the Adani group for Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL). She demanded to use the land for a botanical garden instead of a rehabilitation project, saying, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi surrenders when American president Donald Trump calls, why CM Devender Fadnavis surrenders when Modi calls for Adani.' Former Minister Ms. Gaikwad alleged the BJP government is constantly ignoring the opposition of the locals and letting Adani swallow the whole of Mumbai during the protest. 'The Kurla Mother Dairyland is environmentally sensitive. Kurla Mother Dairy houses hundred-year-old trees, locals are demanding a botanical garden to protect them, yet it is transferred to Adani for infrastructure purposes at a nominal rate,' she added. Days ago, the Maharashtra Cabinet's decision to transfer an 8.05-hectare Mother Dairy land parcel to the DRPPL triggered opposition from locals and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders. Kurla Dairy is among the three dairies of Mumbai, where milk production stopped over the years, and the land was made available for other projects. Many Congress leaders and party functionaries, including MLA Jyoti Gaikwad, Congress spokesperson Suresh Chandra Rajhans, and Mumbai General Secretary Mahendra Mungekar, along with their supporters and activists, staged the peaceful protest in Kurla. Ms. Gaikwad said, 'While we were peacefully protesting, once again the Modani (Modi and Adani) government had sent a large police force to suppress the voice of the people. What justice is it that the police stopped the peaceful protest with the force of police force? The government is providing security to thieves, but we will not be swayed by this oppression. We will continue to fight against this Adani government for the rights of Mumbai.' She called the transfer of land a part of a 'conspiracy' wherein the plan is to destroy the lives of lakhs of Dharavikars and acquire 600 acres of land in Dharavi, along with Kurla Mother Dairy, saltpans, and Deonar dumping ground land. She alleged government will also seize land parcels in Air India Colony, Bandra Reclamation, Behrampada, and Motilal Nagar without taking the locals into confidence.
The Hindu
37 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Morning Digest: Alarm sounded on board Gaza-bound aid ship amid Israel's warning to turn back; Alcaraz wins French Open, and more
Freedom Flotilla Coalition says aid vessel approaching Gaza-bound ship left A vessel that was approaching Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Gaza-bound charity ship the Madleen has left, the coalition said early on Monday (June 9, 2025), after an alarm was sounded on the ship warning of a possible interception. Alcaraz produces another major comeback to win French Open final in five-set thriller against Sinner Bad starts in Grand Slam finals are nothing new for Carlos Alcaraz, and each time it's happened he has won the tournament anyway. But not in such dramatic style as Sunday's French Open final, however, when the Spaniard rallied from two sets down and saved three match points to beat Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) for his fifth major title in as many finals. Violence erupts in Manipur after arrest of Meitei group leader Violence broke out across Manipur's Imphal Valley after a top leader of Arambai Tenggol, an armed Meitei radical group, was picked up by security forces on Saturday (June 7, 2025) evening. Four others belonging to the Arambai Tenggol were reportedly detained for questioning. BJP-AIADMK alliance will form Tamil Nadu government in 2026, says Amit Shah Citing the BJP's success in forming governments in New Delhi, Odisha and Maharashtra, party leader and Union Home Minister on Sunday (June 8, 2025) declared in Madurai that the BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu would assert its position in the next year's Assembly elections and defeat the incumbent DMK government. Protester in Bangladesh student uprising of 2024 is a voter in W.B.'s Kakdwip Amid the row over alleged irregularities in the voter lists of West Bengal, a person who was active in the students' protest in Bangladesh in 2024, was found to be a registered voter in the State's Kakdwip Assembly segment. Bengaluru stampede: Siddaramaiah defends action against police, says govnment didn't organise Vidhana Soudha felicitation event Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has defended the government's action against police officials for security lapses during the function organised to felicitate players of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, during which 11 people died in a stampede. Write to ECI formally: Poll panel sources on Rahul seeking reply on election rigging claim A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sought the Election Commission's response on his article alleging rigging in Maharashtra polls, sources in the poll authority said on Sunday (June 8, 2025) the constitutional body would respond only if the Leader of the Opposition writes to it directly. They also pointed out that as part of its outreach, the EC had invited all six national parties for separate interactions. While the other five met the EC brass, Congress cancelled the May 15 meeting. President's Rule has made no difference in Manipur: Jairam Ramesh Imposition of President's Rule has made no difference to Manipur, Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday (June 8, 2025), amid fresh violence in the State over the past 24 hours. Hitting out at the government, Mr. Ramesh claimed that in February 2022, the BJP 'engineered a majority for itself alone' in the Assembly election. Jaishankar steps up diplomatic moves in Europe on week-long visit to France and Belgium External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar left on Sunday (June 8, 2025) for a week-long visit to France and Belgium, where he will meet with his counterparts in both governments and in the European Commission and European Parliament headquartered in Brussels. Troops sent by Trump reach protest-hit Los Angeles over Governor Newsom's wishes Hundreds of National Guard troops took up positions in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 8, 2025) on the orders of U.S. President Donald Trump, a rare deployment over the head of the state Governor, after unruly protests against immigration raids. The U.S. military said 300 soldiers from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had been sent to three separate locations in the greater Los Angeles area, and were 'conducting safety and protection of federal property & personnel.' Conservative Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe in serious condition after shooting at political rally Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a conservative presidential hopeful, was in 'serious' condition Sunday (June 8, 2025) following surgery for a gunshot wound at a political rally a day earlier, Bogota's mayor said. Mayor Carlos Galán visited the Fundación Santa Fe clinic to express solidarity with the family of the 39-year-old Senator. Israel reveals tunnel under Gaza hospital, says Mohammed Sinwar's body found there The Israeli Army said on Sunday (June 8, 2025) it had retrieved the body of Hamas's military chief Mohammed Sinwar in an underground tunnel beneath a hospital in southern Gaza, following a targeted operation last month. Another senior Hamas leader, Mohammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade, was also found dead at the scene along with a number of other militants, who are still being identified, said IDF spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin.
Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM inspects slum clusters in north-west Delhi
Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday inspected several slum clusters in northwest Delhi's Shalimar Bagh and other assembly constituencies and inaugurated development projects aimed at improving the living conditions of thousands of residents in Nehru Camp, Haiderpur, and Ekta Camp in Pitampura. Denying claims made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, she also said that no slum will be demolished without first providing permanent housing to its residents. 'No slum will be demolished without providing proper housing to its residents. We will not let anyone spread fear and rumours. FIRs will be filed against those spreading false information about demolitions,' she said. This came even as AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj held meetings on Sunday with residents of JJ clusters in Adarsh Nagar and Model Town, claiming that residents were terrified and unsure when the bulldozers would reach their doorsteps. 'We discussed in depth how the newly elected BJP government in Delhi is demolishing the jhuggis of thousands of downtrodden and working-class families, rendering them way the BJP-led Delhi government is targeting jhuggi settlements one after another, it seems the party does not want poor and working-class people to live in Delhi,' Bhardwaj said. He added that the AAP would protest against the demolitions in JJ clusters of Delhi at Jantar Mantar on June 29 and appeal to the central government to take appropriate action on this issue. Gupta said that most anti-encroachment actions are court-directed and aimed at removing illegal obstructions that affect public movement or traffic. She said that redevelopment of all slums in Delhi will be carried out in a phased manner. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that they enjoy the same facilities as other citizens of the city. Proper sewer lines and drainage systems will be installed to resolve the problems of waterlogging and unhygienic conditions. Continuous supply of clean drinking water, construction and improvement of roads, and adequate street lighting will also be prioritised,' Gupta said. She added that to promote public health and sanitation, community toilets and bathing facilities will be constructed at key public locations, with an emphasis on their regular maintenance. A robust solid waste management system will also be installed and vehicles will be deployed to ensure timely and efficient waste disposal. Gupta also launched several civic works on Sunday, including the construction of Jan Suvidha Kendras, road improvements, drainage upgrades, and the creation of safe recreational spaces for children. Gupta also laid emphasis on sanitation infrastructure, announcing a 24-seater public convenience centre at Nehru Camp, Haiderpur and inspected another proposed 20-seater facility near U and V blocks of the JJ Cluster. 'The Jan Suvidha Kendra at Nehru Camp will directly benefit women, children and senior citizens who have long suffered due to lack of access to safe toilets,' Gupta said. She added that these facilities are critical not only for convenience, but also for public health and dignity. 'This is an important step toward our vision of 'Swachh Delhi, Swasth Delhi',' she said. Accompanied by local MLAs and officials from the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Gupta also inaugurated CC pavement work in Ekta Camp, Pitampura. 'For too long, people here have walked through muddy, uneven lanes. These new pavements are not just about roads — they're about restoring dignity and safety,' Gupta said. The CM's inspection also included on-ground reviews of pipeline laying work, road resurfacing, and park maintenance. She promised that clean, well-lit parks equipped with swings and play areas would be created or restored in these densely populated neighbourhoods.
