Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: BJP minister Pankaja Munde on Tuesday took an indirect swipe at politicians allegedly promoting caste divisions, saying society was witnessing the rise of the “demons of casteism and communalism”, and called for unity against such forces. She also declared that bringing water to drought-prone Beed had become her foremost mission.
Addressing her traditional Dasara rally at Bhagwan Bhaktigad in Savargaon Ghat of Patoda taluka, Munde said, “My sister, Pritam Munde, fulfilled the dream of bringing a railway line to Beed when she was an MP. Speaking against growing social divisions, Munde said society needed the strength to defeat forces spreading casteism and communalism. Now, I will not be able to sleep peacefully until I bring water to Beed district. Several politicians, including NCP’s Dhananjay Munde, minister Meghna Bordikar, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha chief Mahadev Jankar, Sujay Vikhe Patil and former MP Pritam Munde, were associated with the rally. Extensive security and logistical arrangements, including three helipads and heavy police deployment, were made for the event.
Responding to opposition criticism over state govt’s announcement of Rs 5,000 assistance for drought-hit farmers, Munde defended the move, saying it was intended as immediate relief and not the final compensation package.
It is not the final assistance,” she said. The blessings of Bhagwan Baba and the immense love of the people are my real strength,” she said. Referring to the morning’s Kanya Pujan, she said she was deeply moved by the young girls participating in the rituals and expressed concern that society had reached a stage where the very feminine power believed to protect the world now needed protection.
“Just as anganwadi workers receive a symbolic amount as Bhaubeej during Diwali to make their festival sweeter, this assistance is meant to provide immediate relief to farmers. “People bring food prepared at home and stand for hours in the sun and heat despite there not even being chairs for everyone. This rally does not belong to me; it belongs to the people.
Before the rally, Munde spoke about the devotion of people who travel to the hilltop venue every year.