Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 10: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said only NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar could clarify whether the two Nationalist Congress Party factions would merge, asserting that neither had informed the BJP about any such proposal.
Speaking to reporters at a Diwali gathering hosted at his official residence, Varsha, Fadnavis said a merger could not take place without the BJP being taken into confidence.
"If they (Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar) decide to merge, they will come and tell us, because the merger cannot happen without us. Neither of them has told us anything yet," he said.
Speculation about a possible merger intensified last week after several leaders of the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, including Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, met Sharad Pawar, who had recently been hospitalised with a chest infection.
Asked to compare Sunetra Pawar's leadership with that of her late husband Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis said such a comparison would be unfair.
"Ajit Dada was a leader who had been tested over time. He had an immense understanding of Maharashtra and a deep knowledge of the state. Sunetra Pawar is now adapting to the situation. Comparing her with Ajit Dada would be unfair," he said.
He added that other senior NCP leaders were collectively managing the party.
Ajit Pawar, who was Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president, died in an air crash on January 28. Sunetra Pawar subsequently took over as the party chief and became Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahayuti government, which comprises the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
On the drought situation in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said the government had already provided advance assistance and would announce the final relief package for farmers soon. Last month, the state announced advance assistance of Rs 5,000 each for eligible farmers in drought-affected areas ahead of Diwali.
He said detailed planning was underway to ensure the availability of drinking water and fodder in affected areas. Water sources were being mapped village-wise, while arrangements were being made to ensure supplies for livestock.
Fadnavis also referred to concerns raised by farmers in orange-growing regions over restrictions on borewells. Farmers had warned that their trees could die without adequate water and that newly planted orchards would take eight years to yield fruit. He said the government had accepted their demand to permit certain borewell-related activities until December 15, alongside measures to recharge groundwater.
On drinking water supply, the CM said the government would have to hire private tankers whenever necessary rather than maintain a large fleet throughout the year. He said GPS tracking had been introduced to monitor tanker movements and ensure transparency.
"Ultimately, private tankers have to be hired. The government cannot keep so many tankers because what would it do with them during the rest of the year? The effort is to bring transparency into their functioning," he said.
Expressing confidence in long-term solutions to the state's water shortage, Fadnavis said river-linking projects would help make Maharashtra drought-free.
"Once these river-linking projects are completed, there will be no drought. It will take seven to eight years, but once completed, Maharashtra will become drought-free," he said.
The projects include diverting surplus floodwater from western Maharashtra, bringing water into the Godavari basin and implementing the Wainganga-Nalganga river link.
On Pune's water consumption, Fadnavis said the city required around 11 TMC of water under prescribed norms but was using nearly 16 TMC annually, suggesting possible leakages or unauthorised consumption. He said the government would not deny additional water to Pune if required, but the city needed to rationalise its usage.
Addressing concerns over construction-related pollution in Mumbai, the CM said the civic body had been directed to enforce standard operating procedures to minimise dust and pollution. He added that ongoing tunnel projects would help ease traffic congestion in the city once completed over the next three to four years.
Fadnavis also defended the Mumbai Police amid questions over firing incidents and threats allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and targeting prominent personalities. He described the force as highly professional and said several accused had been arrested.
"Mumbai Police are so professional that after a firing incident, they identify the accused, track them down and arrest them, even after they get off a train. Only Mumbai Police can do this," he said.
Dismissing concerns over the gang's activities, Fadnavis said such incidents were largely intended to intimidate people.
Last month, two persons allegedly fired at actor Tiger Shroff's car at the behest of a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, according to the city police. Thirteen persons have been arrested in connection with the case so far.