Mahayuti used its stint in power in Maharashtra to push corporate cronies' interests: Congress
New Delhi(PTI): The Congress on Sunday accused the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra of using its stint in power to push corporate cronies' interests ahead of the well-being of the state's people and forests.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that in November 2023, a major advisor to Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) was appointed to an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Centre that approves proposals for hydroelectricity projects, like those made by AGEL.
Soon after, in December 2023, the residents of more than 100 villages in Kolhapur rose up in protest against AGEL's Rs 7,000-crore Patgaon Pumped Storage Project, he said.
Since Kolhapur has been struggling with low rainfall and limited availability of water and no public meetings were held before the project was granted permission, locals are concerned about the impact it would have on the worsening water situation, Ramesh said on X.
"Worryingly, this is just one of three Adani projects that have received approval in ecologically sensitive areas of the Western ghats," he said.
According to experts, environment ministry officials have "selectively interpreted the law" to allow these "red category" projects in sensitive areas, the Congress leader said.
Adani's own environmental evaluations had warned of significant damage to forests during construction but the projects were approved anyway, Ramesh claimed.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mahayuti's brazen manipulation of the legal process clearly has severe repercussions for local communities and the local environment, he said.
"It is telling that the Mahayuti has used its stint in power to push corporate cronies' interests ahead of the wellbeing of Maharashtra's people and forests," Ramesh alleged.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance comprises Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprises the Congress, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).
The remarks of the Congress leader came ahead of the polling for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly on November 20.
The votes will be counted on November 23, a day before the current Maharashtra Assembly completes its term.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
