CM asks BJP legislators to reach out to people in drought-hit areas

* Drought Relief Committees to be formed at block, district, State level
By Kartik Lokhande 
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Monday, asked the legislators of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reach out to people and play active role in ensuring proper and effective implementation of various drought relief measures announced by the Government. He also asked them to stand united in State Legislature to face the Opposition firmly.
“Other parties are resorting to symbolism against us. We are better placed and our Government is doing good job. We need not get disturbed by allegations levelled by the Opposition, or the anger and angst expressed by the people. For, we are in public life. Instead of focussing on other things, let us all concentrate on continuing with good work and reaching out to people in distress in drought-affected areas of State,” Fadnavis said. He was addressing the BJP legislators in BJP Legislature Party meeting held at the party hall in Vidhan Bhavan premises on Monday, the first day of winter session of State Legislature.
Chief Minister made concluding remarks after the speeches of Saroj Pandey, Maharashtra In-charge of party; Raosaheb Danve, BJP State President; Eknath Khadse, Agriculture Minister; Anil Gote, MLA, and others.
Assuring the party legislators that the Government headed by him would be aggressive and confident in countering the Opposition attack during winter session, Fadnavis said that the Government was providing ‘never before’ amount in Supplementary Demands for providing relief to farmers. He appreciated the innovative ideas of some legislators in providing relief to people facing drought, and said that the Government had done well on various fronts including implementation of Food Security Act, extending medical and healthcare facilities to those in need.
Chief Minister commented on success of Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan and suggested that innovative ideas like forming a grid of ex-Malgujari tanks in Bhandara and Gondia districts to mitigate water scarcity. He appealed to party legislators to think of more such innovative ideas. “We should be innovative and constructive in our response to situations,” he said. Referring to ‘unwarranted’ comments made by some of the legislators, he said that all BJP legislators needed to be united. “Speak less, speak measured, speak well. Let us all prepare ourself well for winter session, and it will be a smooth affair,” he added.
Saroj Pandey praised Fadnavis as ‘successful and effective’ Chief Minister and said that party legislators needed to stand as an organisational whole while facing the Opposition. She took a dig at party leaders for ‘making their displeasure public’ before media, and said, “Media has more interest in negative and sensational news. So, we need to be more careful while making on and off the record comments. Take care not to vent your ire or displeasure against someone else in the party. Remember that the party has given you this opportunity.”
Raosaheb Danve asked the MLAs to take up extensive tour of drought or scarcity affected areas in respective constituencies. Soon, he said, the party will be forming block, district, and State level Drought Relief Committees. Legislators should play an active role in functioning of these committees, and ensure that drought relief measures are implemented effectively and aid reaches to beneficiaries, he said.
MLA Anil Gote urged the Government to appoint ‘Special Investigation Team’ to probe into the suicide of builder Suraj Parmar. “The leaders of our alliance partner and those of Opposition parties are under scanner in the matter. The Government should order a detailed probe,” he said. Also, he sought probe into functioning of Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank Limited. Later, in his speech, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis referred to Gote’s demand and said, “The Opposition is not on morally high ground. So, BJP need not worry.”

Complete district level party polls by Dec 20: Danve
Raosaheb Danve, BJP State President, asked the legislators to take more interest in organisational matters of the party. “Legislators need to be aware of the results of elections of Gram Panchayats, municipal councils, municipal corporations, co-operative societies etc. Appreciating the situation in these polls, the legislators should focus on strengthening the party further,” he said. He asked the legislators to ensure that block and district level elections of party organisation were completed by December 10 and December 20 respectively. As far as Legislative Council elections are concerned, he asked party legislators to be active. 

(07-12-15)