Maharashtra's deputy chief ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde conducted separate political rallies across Nashik district on Friday, addressing critical local issues ranging from dangerous leopard encounters to the stability of the ruling political alliance.
Leopard Attack Prompts Safety Measures in Kopargaon
During his rally at Kopargaon in Ahilyanagar, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed profound sorrow over the recent leopard attack that resulted in two fatalities. The tragic incident has triggered immediate government action to prevent future occurrences.
Pawar revealed that local MLA Ashutosh Kale alerted him immediately after the leopard attack, prompting swift response measures. "The loss of two lives is deeply unfortunate. We acted promptly based on the information received, and now our focus shifts to comprehensive preventive measures," Pawar stated.
The government plans to launch an extensive cleanliness campaign throughout the municipal council area to eliminate environments that attract leopards. Additionally, authorities will establish animal shelters for stray animals, where owners must pay retrieval fees to claim their pets.
Comprehensive Wildlife Management Strategy
The deputy chief minister outlined a multi-pronged approach to wildlife management. Stray dogs will undergo mass sterilization procedures and subsequently be relocated to forest areas, significantly reducing leopard attraction to human settlements.
Beyond addressing the immediate wildlife concerns, Pawar highlighted Kopargaon's strategic advantages, emphasizing its excellent connectivity through air, rail, and expressway networks. He committed to transforming the town into a development hub comparable to Baramati, promising similar progress for other towns in the region.
Shinde Reaffirms Alliance Strength and Development Promises
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, campaigning across Igatpuri, Bhagur, and Yeola constituencies, addressed questions about the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's future. Responding to BJP state president Ravindra Chavan's recent comments about safeguarding the alliance until December 2, Shinde emphasized the partnership's ideological foundations.
"This alliance was established by visionary leaders including Balasaheb Thackeray, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Lal Krishna Advani based on shared principles," Shinde declared. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dynamic leadership, the NDA alliance will continue to prosper and serve the people."
During his Bhagur appearance, Shinde contrasted his governance approach with typical political promises. "In politics, many make commitments they don't fulfill. However, when I give my word, I stand by it firmly," he asserted, referencing ongoing welfare schemes including Ladki Bahin, Lek Ladki Lakhpati, 50% fare concessions for women in state transport buses, and free higher education for girls.
Infrastructure Development and Industrial Growth
While campaigning for candidate Rupesh Darade in Yeola, Shinde employed wrestling terminology to describe his political maneuvers, noting that his strategic moves three years earlier had left lasting impacts on his political opponents.
The deputy chief minister pledged to construct a connector road linking the region to the Samruddhi Expressway, significantly improving transportation infrastructure. In a dramatic demonstration of immediate governance, Shinde called Industry Minister Uday Samant during his speech via speakerphone to address MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) concerns.
Minister Samant confirmed that land rates in Yeola MIDC had been substantially reduced following Shinde's recommendations, creating favorable conditions for major industries to establish operations in the region and promising significant economic development and employment opportunities for local residents.
The separate engagements by both deputy chief ministers across Nashik district highlight the government's focused attention on regional development and public safety concerns while reinforcing political stability ahead of upcoming electoral challenges.
