More than 12,000 villages in Maharashtra are battling acute drought. At such a time when they thought the state government will bring them some relief, the following statement of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has shocked all. Pawar said, "Somebody is there on a fast for 55 days now. His name is some Deshmukh. He is asking us to release water from dams. How could one do that? We don't have water in dams, what to do? Should we urinate in the dam? The problem is that there is no water to drink, so how could we even urinate?" What is Indian politics coming to? IBN Lokmat Editor Nikhil Wagle joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.
Q. How do you react to those people in the audience who were clapping and wooing Ajit Pawar when he was giving the said speech? Asked by: Shyam Vadalker
A. Unfortunate. It was as insensitive as Ajit's statement!
Q. In a democracy it is our fate to have such leaders? Money power they get elected to make more? Asked by: prathap
A. Don't blame fate. It's people's lack of interest in functions of democracy. We elect our representatives and forget to keep watch on their performance.
Q. Shall we take a drive on social media to boy caught him and spread the word on his remarks? Asked by: Deo
A. Ajit's statements are condemnable but the issue is much wider. This is degeneration of politics in Maharashtra. We need a public outcry against such leaders. but who will take lead?
Q. Why no FIR is being filed against water resources minister for diverting water meant for drinking and farmers to sugar mills owned by NCP/Cong ministers and politicians in close coterie of Sharad Pawar? Under current law, isn't this criminal offence? Asked by: Vivek Dalmia
A. When ruling party is involved who will file FIR?
Q. Mr Wagle, i believe that people of Maharashtra are responsible for electing such people again and again, so why there is so much of hue and cry around, first people should look what they have sown and what they have got. What is your thought? Asked by: Rakesh
A. Its true people are responsible for whom they elect, but where is the alternative?
Q. Sir, has the media been absolutely soft on Ajit Pawar and the allegations of corruption in irrigation scam and now water distribution scam? Asked by: ram
A. Its not true. Infact media has taken up both the issues aggressively.
Q. Why do journalists like Kumar Ketkar and Vinod Sharma do not speak out against this Maharashtra mess? Asked by: srinivass
A. Senior journalists like kumar ketkar always speak and write against this mess.
Q. Ajit Pawar is known for his dashing fearless nature. If he has made some remarks in lighter vein and later apologised unconditionally when it snowballed into controversy, Media (Lokmat channel) and others opp parties should stop this issue. Don't you agree? Asked by: Ravikiran Shinde
A. This has become a political issue for opposition. Ajit Pawar has apologised but will he change his rash style? will he learn from this and avoid arrogance of power? these are the key questions!
Q. Wagle Sir Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are marathi media's darling due to their "Thackri" languague which is bold, direct sometimes obscene. I do not recall Media targeting them with the usage.Why single out Ajit Pawar. IBN lokmat is also doing same. Asked by: R. R. Shinde
A. Media has always criticised Bal/Raj Thackeray's filthy language. Infact while analysing Ajit's statements i have always maintained that this is impact of Thackri bhasha on Maharashtra politics. Ajit seems to be following wrong uncle!
Q. Why Sharad Pawar kept mum on this issue? When Bhaskar Jahdhav did his sons wedding Mr Pawar not slop in night..n whats the reaction on Ajit Pawar statement? If due to wrong statement RR Patil give resignation then why not AJit pawar just because retaliation or Sharad Pawar doesn't have control on Ajit Pawar? Asked by: Rakesh Pawar
A. Sharad Pawar is not happy with Ajit's statements. but he has not condemned him publicly. he has a tricky relationship with his nephew.
Q. Don't you think that because Ajit is not media friendly, media always attacks him specially after Dadoji Konddev issue? Asked by: Avinash
A. It is not about being friendly with media. Being a senior leader Ajit should behave sensibly. How come he always puts his foot in mouth?
Q. I am ashamed to be part of state where Ajit Pawar is a Dy CM, what about you? Asked by: Sushant Yardi
A. Why blame entire state for sillyness of few politicians? Maharashtra is much much more than Ajit and such leaders!
Q. Hi sir..I don't want to comment on the Ajit powers statement..because now commenting on such things are waste of time..when undeserving people do anything in any area they are ought to make thing worse..by face only Mr Ajit power looks cheap..but is the drought in Maharashtra is the result of corruption in the system..had it would be avoided.. Asked by: Rohit
A. Drought in Maharashtra is partly man made.its because of wrong irrigation policies and scams we face this unprecedented situation.
Q. We have a severe drought situation and our netas are not at all sympathetic. If its AP in Maharashtra, then another in Kerala distributed TVs for the netas. Are the netas really so insensitive to the needs of the people. Your thoughts? Asked by: Emat
A. Most of the netas have lost touch from reality.
Q. So Mr Wagle, continuing with your answer, do you say that there is no better alternative then Ajit Pawar from that consistuency? Asked by: Rakesh
A. Don't get me wrong! its not about one Ajit Pawar. There are no of Ajit's in every political party. Do we really have choice?
Q. Will this statement by Ajit Pawar affect NCP in 2014 State elections? or will they be able to "Buy" their way out of this? Asked by: Prathamesh
A. Politicians believe that people's memory is short. This issue will not have any impact on 2014 elections.
Q. We like that IBNL has raised several issues relating to drought & other issues...But IBNL is not following the issues properly they dropped the issue in between don't know the reason..eg. Sunil tatkare scam, sinchan scam etc Asked by: Rakesh Pawar
A. All this issues are subjudiced now.
Q. When media people say that this language cant be tolerated, how you people can show Raj Thakrey's speech? That too live? Asked by: Avinash
A. Media shows them because people watch!
Q. Drought is certainly not an unexpected situation in Maharashtra, I wonder why media never takes up the issues like Builder and Politician nexus, irregular/unauthorized sanctions of building, dam and other constructions where we never face any water shortages at least for construction purpose. In Pune there are 100s of 1000s of unauthorized construction but no one seems to bother? Have you ever taken up these issues and reached to the depth of it? Asked by: Yogesh
A. Please watch IBN Lokmat carefully.
Q. Nikhilji, I am sure nothing is going to happen to Ajit Pawar for making that shameless and insensitive statement at Indapur as we all know that the people's memory is very short and this episode will be forgotten with passgae of days as it has happened on many occasions in past in respect of many statments coming from leaders of different political parties including Congress, BJP and all others. Your take pl. Asked by: Shyam Vadalker
A. I agree.
Q. The court later had asked for release of water within 24 hours. Was it released and if so where from the water came? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Water was released from bhima-asked and Andhra dam from Pune district.
Q. Did the congress try to use the utterances to eject the Dy CM second time from the cabinet? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Congress is happy, but did not try anything.
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