Pune: For several decades now, the Indapur assembly constituency in rural Pune has been struggling with various agricultural and water-related challenges. Residents and activists have for long criticized political leaders for not addressing these issues effectively. Here, farmers are calling for the establishment of agro-processing plants, timely payments for their sugar cane harvest, and promotion of water tourism at Ujani dam to create local job opportunities.
Equally intense is the political battle emerging for the upcoming assembly poll between two groups borne of the erstwhile undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Now, two-time MLA Datta Bharne of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is facing off against four-time former minister Harshavardhan Patil fielded by the NCP (SCP). Amidst these political developments, however, many voters — particularly activists and farmers — feel the people's issues of the tehsil have been put on the back burner.
Farmer Sachin Kokare told TOI, "Nobody is keen to resolve or talk about water scarcity issues in 22 villages that are in the Nira river region." Activist Ramesh Khartode, who was part of local dam water protests a few months ago, similarly said, "There is no clarity on reservation of Khadakwasla dam water for the tehsil on official record. We had to protest and fight for water last year.
We need a concrete solution. Unfortunately, political leaders across party lines are busy with political campaigns. People's issues have taken a backse.