Declare drought in north Maharashtra, Marathwada: Chavan

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan Saturday demanded that the state government declare a drought in north Maharashtra and Marathwada regions as they were facing a severe rain deficit forcing people to walk over five kilometres to get water.

He said that farmlands there were parched despite the Jalyukt Shivar programme of the Devendra Fadnavis government and accused state Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil of repeating promises of commissioning reports, holding cabinet meetings and asking for Central government assistance.

Hitting out at the government for its all round failure, Chavan said, "We will not rest till we throw this government out of power. We are ready to come onto the streets for this demand."
Attacking Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Chavan said, "Sometimes, Nitin Gadkari slips up and speaks the truth. In a recent TV interview, he revealed that the BJP made grand promises because the party never thought it would come to power."