The state BJP criticised the Akhilesh Yadav government for politicising the Bundelkhand drought by false claims of helping starved people whereas people were actually dying of hunger.
"The UP government is insensitive towards the plight of farmers. CM Akhilesh Yadav is good on issuing statements, but poor in translating his promises into reality. Contrary to government claim, the situation in Bundelkhand has worsened and people are dying for want of water and food,” BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak told reporters in lucknow on Sunday.
Pathak said that when the Centre sent the water train to Jhansi, instead of using the opportunity the UP government asked for funds to purchase 10,000 tankers. The government is however silent on how will it bring 10,000 drivers in such a short notice. “When the government does not have drivers for UPSRTC buses and they are being driven by ad hoc drivers, what will be the fate of these tankers,” he questioned.
The BJP spokesman said that in areas where funds have been provided, the UP government has failed to purchase tankers. "Mahoba has been the worst affected district. Funds were given to purchase 273 tankers but only 33 were purchased. Does this not indicate the apathy of the UP government," Pathak said.
"When the state government has failed to purchase 273 tankers in one district, why is it asking for 10,000 water tankers as it would be of no use for the parched districts in the state," Pathak claimed.
Criticising Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for targeting the media of giving wrong reports on the photographs of water in Bundelkhand, the BJP spokesperson said, "If the CM is that sure of wrong media reports, he should order a probe and check who is right - the government or the media."
Meanwhile, state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya is set to re-constitute the state executive by mid of this month.
Pathak however said, “Already 86 of the 91 district committees have been reconstituted so far and the rest would be completed by May end."