The state water resources department’s statement that irrigation potential in the state had risen 28 per cent might pave the way for former deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Ajit Pawar, to re-enter the state cabinet. The department denying allegations of irregularities would also favour Pawar.
The department has also clarified in 2003, following the governor’s directives, the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation was delegated administrative powers. Therefore, Pawar wasn’t involved. However, these powers were withdrawn in 2009, after the government declared there was no physical backlog in the underdeveloped Vidarbha region.
