Protests against Uma in Jhansi

Jhansi: Water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation minister Uma Bharti, who is also the MP from Jhansi-Lalitpur constituency, has come under attack from people and political outfits here who have resorted to protests claiming she has failed to deliver on her promises made during LS elections.
On Wednesday, members of the Bundelkhand Nirman Morcha burnt an effigy of the minister in front of the district court.Morcha’s president Bhanu Sahay said, “During election time Uma Bharati had promised that within six months of formation of her government, she will take up the issue of a separate Bundelkhand state. But nine months have passed and nothing has been done so far.”
“As a senior and seasoned politician who has held many key positions, Uma should have weightage in her talks. She had failed to deliver on issue of Bundelkhand,” Bhanu said.
Bhanu sighted other issues too, including cleaning of the river Betwa which is considered as the lifeline of parched Bundelkhand and is under serious threat of pollution by industries and Paricha power plant. He also sought a detailed investigation into the irregularities in Bundelkhand package which was a major issue raised by Uma during the elections. “Similarly, ‘Y’ status should be given to Jhansi city which is lying pending for quite a long time and encroachments should be removed from the historic Laxmi Tal,” he added.
On Tuesday, members of the Bharatiya Praja Shakti Party had staged an unique demonstration against the minister by displaying rattles at the Elite Crossing in the city. They too were protesting on similar issues. Party president Pankaj Rawat said, “Almost a year has passed and she (Uma) has done nothing from her long list of election promises. She has given a rattle to each of us to play with and that is why this is a symbolic protest with rattles.”
He further said that she had announced adopting of Pahuj river but did nothing for its restoration. Moreover, action has not been taken in any of the projects announced by her during the elections, he claimed.