BHUJ: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel on Sunday alleged that “urban Naxals” had opposed the ambitious Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada to deprive the state and arid Kutch region of water and development.
While addressing a gathering in Bhuj in the presence of PM Narendra Modi, Patel also alleged that activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was an “urban Naxal” who had received political support.
Patel made the comments after the PM inaugurated the Bhuj-Mandvi Narmada branch canal, which has brought water to the region from the Sardar Sarovar dam in Narmada district. “On this occasion, when Narmada water has reached Kutch, we should also remember those who had deprived Kutch from getting this water for nearly five decades,” said Patel in his address.
Without taking names, he said a political party had given her a ticket to fight parliamentary elections. Patkar had unsuccessfully fought the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Mumbai North East on an AAP ticket.
While addressing a gathering in Bhuj in the presence of PM Narendra Modi, Patel also alleged that activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was an “urban Naxal” who had received political support.
Patel made the comments after the PM inaugurated the Bhuj-Mandvi Narmada branch canal, which has brought water to the region from the Sardar Sarovar dam in Narmada district. “On this occasion, when Narmada water has reached Kutch, we should also remember those who had deprived Kutch from getting this water for nearly five decades,” said Patel in his address.
Without taking names, he said a political party had given her a ticket to fight parliamentary elections. Patkar had unsuccessfully fought the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Mumbai North East on an AAP ticket.