Jalna, Oct 14 A video showing currency notes being showered on BJP leader and former MLA Kailas Gorantyal during a ‘bhajan’ programme in Maharashtra’s Jalna sparked a row, with the opposition as well as ruling parties questioning its propriety amid concerns over drought and water scarcity in the region.
The incident took place on Tuesday night during the programme organised near the Manmadevi temple in the city.
Apart from opposition Shiv Sena (UBT), minister Sanjay Shirsat of the BJP’s ruling ally Shiv Sena also criticised Gorantyal over the episode, saying such antics during drought will not be appreciated by common people.
According to reports, Gorantyal joined the devotional singing and danced to the rhythm of bhajans at the insistence of party workers.
During the programme, some participants allegedly showered him with Rs 500 and Rs 200 currency notes.
The video that circulated on social media drew criticism over the display of money at a public event at a time when several parts of the state were reeling under drought with farmers facing crop losses, mounting debts and concerns over water and fodder availability.
Responding to the controversy, Gorantyal said the programme was religious in nature and that devotees traditionally shower money during such events.
“I frequently listen to devotional songs of goddesses, Hanuman ji sung by Lakkha Singh. When someone is spellbound and dances in public, one doesn’t understand what is happening…whether anyone is showering money on you…”
He also alleged that the video being circulated on social media platforms was incomplete.
“If you see the full video, we also held prayers for farmers in view of the prevailing drought conditions. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a competent leader and he has taken many decisions for the drought-affected people,” he added.
”Whenever people organise such religious programmes, they want us to join them and sometimes we have to dance with them. We cannot disregard their feelings…People should question us if we fail to take steps for tackling drought,” he said.
Minister Shirsat criticised Gorantyal, saying, ”Conducting such programmes during this time of drought will not be appreciated by the common people. Gorantyal is now in BJP and he should try to adapt to the party’s character. He should remember he is not in Congress.”
Gorantyal was in the Congress for over three decades, but he left the grand old party and joined the BJP over a year ago. He had represented the Jalna assembly constituency three times.
Shiv Sena (UBT) district president Manish Shrivastav said BJP leaders were not serious about the hardships being faced by farmers due to drought.
“If BJP leaders really want to help, they should organise a charity dance show and donate the proceeds to the drought-hit people,” he said.
(PTI News)
