Supriya Sule inspects rain-hit Pune, criticises govt for neglecting infrastructure

Supriya Sule takes stock of rain-hit Pune/X

Supriya Sule, a Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP, toured rain-affected districts in Pune on Tuesday and criticised the government for its weak reaction to infrastructural challenges.

Sule examined the Model Colony, Sinhgad Road, Wadgaon, and Katraj areas, which had major flooding and other rain-related issues last week. On Saturday evening, severe rains deluged Pune, with the Shivajinagar neighbourhood receiving more than 100 mm of rain between 5:30 and 8:30 pm.

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Sule addressed reporters and highlighted the city's various difficulties, including increased crime and drug-related issues, as well as the breakdown of administration and infrastructure. She questioned the Union government's Smart City project, claiming that rainwater was entering residences owing to encroachments and calling for measures to prevent encroachment on water bodies.

"On the one hand, crime is increasing, drug-related crimes are taking place, and on the other hand there is a complete collapse of administration and infrastructure," she claimed.

"Pune residents pay their taxes and now they are asking for accountability over the collapse of infrastructure," Sule said. She added that she planned to meet the municipal commissioner to discuss these issues.

Taking a swipe at the BJP and the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, Sule remarked, "Someone has to speak, as everybody is busy breaking up political parties and families. Now that they have got fewer seats in the Lok Sabha (compared to the last time), they will be busy increasing the count. They have time to increase their count but not for the people who vote for them."

Sule pointed out that the BJP was in power in the Pune civic council before the term of its general body expired and an administrator was appointed.

Supriya Sule speaks on Manipur

Supriya Sule voiced alarm on Tuesday about the violence in Manipur, questioning why the north-eastern state was being treated so harshly considering its status as an integral part of the country.

When asked about RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark about peace eluding the north-eastern state even after a year on since the violence first broke out, Sule said, "We have been questioning the government over the Manipur issue for months. A lot of discussions took place in the Parliament over the Manipur situation. Manipur is an integral part of the country. The people, women, children there are Indians."