Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp counterattack against the BJP's political opponents on Saturday, accusing them of attempting to shift public focus away from the party's development track record in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) area.
Allegations of Diversion and a Call to Focus on Development
Addressing an election rally in Akurdi, Fadnavis stated that the frustration of rival parties was evident as they could see the tangible developmental works completed by the BJP during its last term. Without naming any specific party or leader, he claimed opponents had no substantial achievements of their own to showcase and were unable to answer questions about their performance.
He urged BJP members, including MLA Mahesh Landge, to concentrate on highlighting the party's accomplishments to voters rather than getting entangled in political sparring. "People of Pimpri Chinchwad have witnessed the development carried out over the last five years," Fadnavis asserted, expressing confidence that the BJP would secure more seats in the upcoming PCMC polls compared to the 2017 civic election.
Countering Corruption Claims with Project Details
The Chief Minister's remarks come amidst a direct and increasingly bitter contest between the BJP and the NCP for the PCMC. The rivalry intensified after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar leveled corruption allegations against BJP MLAs Mahesh Landge and Shankar Jagtap and accused the BJP of slow-paced development.
In response, Fadnavis provided specific examples to contrast the BJP's performance with previous administrations. He pointed to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) housing project, which he said had stalled for nearly 15 years before the BJP assumed power. "The construction of 13,000 houses remained sluggish. Only 6,700 were built, and their quality was so poor people were unwilling to live in them," he stated.
In comparison, he highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the BJP government had provided over 4,800 quality houses. "Anyone can compare the difference," Fadnavis added.
Vision for a Growing Pimpri Chinchwad
Fadnavis painted a picture of Pimpri Chinchwad as one of Maharashtra's fastest-growing urban centers, with a population poised to surpass that of the Pune Municipal Corporation. He outlined several civic and infrastructure initiatives:
- Infrastructure: Extensive road development work is in progress, and new metro routes covering 41km have been proposed to enhance public transport.
- Water Supply: PCMC is now receiving water from the Bhama Askhed project, with long-term plans to ensure sufficient supply for the next 25 years.
- Civic Initiatives: The BJP government waived penalties on property tax and worked on resolving long-pending issues related to blue and red line demarcations, with discussions on the red zone at an advanced stage.
- Sustainability: A plan is in place to achieve zero garbage and zero dumping by processing 100% of daily waste.
Fadnavis concluded by emphasizing that the BJP's focus remained on creating opportunities for better education and employment, framing the upcoming election as a choice between proven development and political rhetoric.
