15-05-2025
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.
