Even as over a quarter of India’s population is reeling under a water crisis, political leaders do not seem to be putting aside their differences.
Politicians in Maharashtra clicking selfies in drought-hit Marathwada have already created outrage for being insensitive towards the issue. Now, it is Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav who is in the centre of a row for sending back a water train bound for Bundelkhand.
On Wednesday, railway minister Suresh Prabhu announced that they would be sending a water train to solve the water crisis in Bundelkhand, on the lines of a similar initiative in Latur.
#bundelkhand is suffering water shortage.We are working on supplying water through trains, putting Logistics in place to help our brethren
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) May 4, 2016
But CM Akhilesh Yadav refused the help, saying “we have no Latur-like problem here”. While Yadav seems to be blind to the catastrophe Bundelkhand has been facing for the past several months, the statement sparked outrage among the public.
Expectedly, the social media hit out at the UP CM:
People will not forgive AKhilesh Yadav for this – UP Govt says no Water train which was sent for drought hit… https://t.co/5dqDc5LFcm
— PMOIndia-ReportCard (@PMOIndia_RC) May 5, 2016
Not surprised: AkhileshYadav refuses centre’s over hyped water train 4 Bundelkhand-Only area BJP-SP collaborate on is communal riots in UP
— Shehzad Poonawalla (@Shehzad_Ind) May 5, 2016
“Don’t Need your water train, UP tells Center ” it’s a height of cheap level politics by UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and Samajvadi Party.
— I Journalist (@IJournalist01) May 5, 2016
After rejecting Centre’s water train, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav requests GOI to send 10,000 Road Tankers to distribute water in #Bundelkhand.
— Sagar Satapathy (@sagar13d) May 5, 2016
Dear Akhilesh Yadav, why did you sent back train full with water, is it because you want your people to die, but not live because of Modiji
— Avinash Choubey (@avinashchoubey) May 5, 2016
It is shocking to see @yadavakhilesh has declined the need of water in Bundelkhand region. Sir. Kindly visit and see the pathetic situation.
— Shalinee (@shreha211985) May 5, 2016
How can @UPGovt be allowed to deny&determine that #bundelkhand doesn’t require centre’s #water train &send it back! https://t.co/GerEkYZxnZ
— Shonali C (@shonalic) May 5, 2016
@ArvindKejriwal offers water to Latur, @Dev_Fadnavis refuses. GOI offers to Bundelkhand, @yadavakhilesh refuses. 1 upmanship even on water?
— jaidev chatterjee (@cjaidev) May 5, 2016
The ruling Samajwadi Party is alleging that the gesture is an attempt by local BJP leaders to snatch credit from the state government according to NDTV, but, actually, it seems more like the SP is denying relief to people for its petty politics.
