Pune: 232 MLAs are supporting government; defections won’t matter: Ajit Pawar
Pune: In an oblique reference to reports that Shiv Sena (BT) President and DyCM Eknath Shinde is not happy, NCP (AP) President and DyCM Ajit Pawar has said that it will be inconsequential if some MLAs defect or leave their respective parties.
Ajit Pawar said, “We have got a massive mandate in the State Assembly elections. In all, 232 MLAs are supporting the government. The majority mark is 145. Therefore, this government is backing you. Neither would any MLA defect nor would any new MLA join us. Even if some MLAs leave, it won’t make any difference. We will be able to work with proper planning in the next five years now.”
Pawar was reacting to reports about Shinde’s unhappiness without naming him. He was speaking in a Town Planning and Valuation Department’s function, where department officials and Eknath Shinde were present.
Pawar said, “Pune is the third worst city in the country with regard to traffic jams. It was said in a meeting of the District Planning Committee that the combined populations of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad would reach two crore by 2054. This would worsen water supply, solid waste management and traffic issues. We will have to start planning now to address these problems. We have no other alternative than to strengthen the public transport system to address the issues. Tough decisions will have to be made. The Town Planning Department can plan the Ring Road, Metro railway and roads using advanced technology.
“The highest number of two-wheelers are being registered in Pune in the State. Later, it is going to be difficult even to walk on city roads. Growing urbanization is posing challenges before us.”
‘New generation will blame us’
Underlining that it would be a challenge to provide water to two crore people, Ajit Pawar said, “Pune got 5 TMC water in 1991, which was sufficient. Today, it is getting 21 TMC. The demand will grow further in the future. It is a challenge as to how such huge demand would be fulfilled.
“Rivers are being polluted. We will have to stop hydel projects and supply water to cities. If the Town Planning Department does not consider these challenges, the new generation would blame us.”
‘We will have to decide’
Pawar said, “There will be opposition to some tough decisions. Elections are over. People complain that the ruling parties will not need them for the next five years. But there is no other alternative to tough decisions. We will have to make them.”
