Minister on flood survey caught on camera smiling; oppn fumes

Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan on Friday stoked a controversy after two selfie videos surfaced purportedly showing him smiling and waving hands cheerfully as he inspected parts of the flood-hit district.

This prompted the opposition NCP, the Congress and the MNS to rebuke Mahajan, who in turn, asked them not to politicise flood relief work.

Alleging the BJP minister was on "disaster tourism", the NCP also asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek resignation of the "insensitive" water resources minister.

The Congress launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP, saying it should start a "selfiewithdead" series declaring the minister as its brand ambassador.

In one of the clips, an unidentified person accompanying Mahajan is seen taking selfie video as they rode through water in parts of Kolhapur in western Maharashtra.

The minister can be seen smiling and waving hands in this clip.

In another clip, Mahajan is seen inspecting the flood situation standing on a road as the person filmed the selfie video.

Hitting out at the government on the issue, NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik alleged it was not into disaster management, but "disaster tourism".

"Mahajan himself has given the evidence of their such tourism. This is an insensitive government. They (ruling BJP) are only bothered about campaigning. People of the state are watching and will teach the BJP a lesson," Malik said.

His party colleague Dhananjay Munde echoed similar views.

"Minister @girishdmahajan and officials were smiled, posed selfie. Are the rulers left with any sensitivity? @Dev_Fadnavis ji take resignation of this insensitive minister, suspend the officials concerned," Munde tweeted.

Expressing grief over death of a child due to floods, Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Council Munde of the NCP also asked Mahajan if he feels ashamed of his approach to the situation.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant tweeted, "Girish Mahajan is the face that reflects the character, ideology and identity of this government.

"One which seeks pleasure in defecting MLAs, shows gun to children, dances in frenzy, fights and laughs wickedly on the tears of others! Now start #sefiewithdead series and declare Mahajan as the Ambassador."