Maharashtra Revenue Minister Denies BJP Involvement in 'Operation Tiger' Allegations Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule categorically denied any role for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the alleged "Operation Tiger" aimed at poaching Sena (UBT) legislators, during a press briefing in Nagpur on Wednesday. Bawankule dismissed the narrative as speculative, emphasizing that the purported shift of UBT MPs to the Shinde faction was an internal matter within the Shiv Sena. He reiterated that the BJP had no connection to the alleged operation, stating, "BJP has no relation with this. Let Uddhav ji handle his party, let Eknath Shinde ji handle his. BJP has not touched this issue." Bawankule also refuted claims by Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut that the BJP was offering Rs 25-50 crore per MP to facilitate defections. He criticized the notion that political shifts were solely driven by financial incentives, asserting that elected representatives may change sides for "many reasons." "Saying an MLA or MP changes sides only for money is not right," he said, urging the UBT faction to "introspect on why its MPs and legislators are walking out, not blame others." The minister addressed rumors that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was planning to resign and move to Delhi, with Eknath Shinde poised to take over as the state's leader. Bawankule dismissed these claims as baseless, stating, "Bondekar has the freedom to express his feelings. The people's mandate is with Fadnavis. He is a strong, active CM and a key political face of a developed Maharashtra. There is no question of discussing the CM post.#bharatiya_janata_party #shiv_sena #uddhav_thackeray #chandrashekhar_bawankule #maharashtra_revenue_minister
Maharashtra Minister Demands Accountability for Melghat Health System Collapse Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday condemned the deteriorating state of healthcare services in Melghat, a tribal region in the state, and called for urgent action to address systemic failures that have left rural and tribal communities without adequate medical facilities. During a high-level review meeting at Mantralaya, Bawankule questioned officials about the prolonged administrative neglect and emphasized that the government would not tolerate negligence affecting rural citizens. He directed the administration to expedite pending health infrastructure projects in Nagpur and Amravati districts, stressing the need for immediate improvements to meet the basic healthcare needs of the population. The meeting, attended by Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, and senior health department officials, focused on resolving delays in critical healthcare proposals. Bawankule expressed frustration over the slow progress on projects aimed at strengthening medical facilities, particularly in Amravati district. He instructed officials to prioritize the establishment of radiotherapy and day-care chemotherapy services at the divisional referral hospital through a public-private partnership model. Additionally, he ordered the upgrading of Daryapur sub-district hospital from 50 to 100 beds and mandated the submission of proposals for a trauma care unit, CT scan facility, blood bank, and MRI services. In Nagpur district, discussions centered on pending approvals for the expansion of Narkhed rural hospital from 30 to 50 beds, as well as the clearance of proposals for Kamptee sub-district hospital through MSIDC Nagpur.#prakash_abitkar #chandrashekhar_bawankule #maharashtra_revenue_minister #public_health_minister #medical_education_minister
Civic Bodies Told to Act Now to Meet Future Water Needs Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule directed municipal councils on Thursday to prioritize long-term water supply planning to address escalating water stress, warning that current systems are unprepared for future demand. Speaking at a district-level review meeting, the minister outlined a five-point development framework for newly elected municipal heads, with water supply and augmentation designated as central priorities. The directive comes amid growing concerns over declining rainfall, climate variability, and falling groundwater levels in regions like Vidarbha. Bawankule emphasized that these trends are "root causes of future water crises" and urged immediate action, including the protection and cleaning of local water bodies such as rivers and streams. The minister highlighted that many civic bodies lack the technical and engineering capacity to execute large-scale water projects, leading to inefficiencies. He noted that despite completing numerous schemes, adequate water supply has not been achieved, and called for such projects to be transferred to Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran for better execution and accountability. Bawankule also urged authorities to address leakages and prevent wastage by installing taps where absent, while strengthening supply networks in water-scarce areas. Municipal councils facing acute shortages were instructed to submit water reservation proposals within 10 days. The Kamptee MLA underscored the need for forward-looking planning, stating that all urban water blueprints must account for population growth over the next 25 years. "If planning reflects future realities, efficient and disciplined use of available water will follow," he remarked.#vidarbha #chandrashekhar_bawankule #maharashtra_revenue_minister #maharashtra_jeevan_pradhikaran #kamptee_mla
