MNS chief Raj Thackeray and NCP MP Supriya Sule, who are said to hardly ever come out of their comfort zone, are suddenly visiting Marathwada as a part of the 'drought tourism'.
Reeling from its third consecutive drought, Marathwada seems to have become the favourite 'drought tourism' spot for political leaders across party lines this year.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray and NCP MP Supriya Sule, who are said to hardly ever come out of their comfort zone, are suddenly visiting Marathwada as a part of the 'drought tourism'.
Revenue minister Eknath Khadse questioned the intention behind these increased tours by members of the Opposition and said, "In fact, by going to Marathwada, they are actually disturbing the administrative work. What contribution they are going to make in their visit anyway? The Opposition should explain what help are they giving the farmers. These visits are nothing but political stunts to criticise the government."
The Opposition has been slamming the BJP-Shiv Sena government for what it says is its failure to tackle the drought and extend all possible help to farmers. The drought has resulted in a rise in migration and school dropout rate. Recently, two children out to fetch water died due to the unbearable heat.
Commenting on Raj's tour of the region, a political observer said, "He hardly steps out of Mumbai. His party's decimation in the state assembly election has made him visit the region in spite of the scorching heat. This shows how Marathwada is being used to score brownie points and project the party as being pro-farmers."
A few days ago, Sule too had made a visit with her party leaders, while the Congress's state unit has announced its Marathwada tour from May 5 to 7 to boost its rural base, which was eroded in the last Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Ashok Chavan said it is time to help farmers and provide water tankers and fodder to their animals. "We want to extend all possible help to the Marathwada people.
The state government has been making a lot of announcements and noise on the issue, but the ground the reality is different. The Congress has its own network that can be used to help the farmers," he added.
The Sena had also asked its ministers to visit the region and take measures to help farmers. And the BJP recently held a cabinet meeting in Aurangabad to send the message that it is doing something for the farmers, besides also sending its ministers to Marathwada ahead of the state assembly session.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Marathwada")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}