Nagpur: Revenue minister Chandrashekar Bawankule on Saturday accused Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of using student interactions for political mobilisation. Calling Gandhi’s outreach “nautanki”, Bawankule said youth should instead be encouraged towards science, technology and development.Responding to Congress’s student outreach in Pune, Bawankule said, “Youth should not be provoked for political purposes.” He alleged that Congress was attempting to create confrontational situations involving students and “use the resulting sympathy for electoral gains.”The Nagpur district guardian minister defended CM Devendra Fadnavis’s proposed ‘Gen-Z dialogue’ planned in Nagpur on Sunday, describing him as a “youth icon” who enjoys the confidence of young people in Maharashtra. Similar interactions, Bawankule said, would be held across the state. Responding to Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar’s criticism, Bawankule said political parties should not use youth as instruments for partisan or electoral objectives.On former MP Navneet Rana’s reported absence at a programme in Amravati on Friday, the Kamptee MLA said it doesn’t carry any political importance. He said Rana had received an offer from NCP (SP) for a Rajya Sabha seat in the past but chose to pursue a Hindutva-oriented political position within BJP. “Her entire political life will be with BJP,” he said.Taking up the issue of providing nutritional food to students, Bawankule said Food and Drug Administration would act under applicable rules if substandard nutrition was found. Revenue Department, he said, would have no role in such enforcement.Regarding the proposed land acquisition in Parseoni, the minister said he met three or four farmers, and their concerns would be addressed directly. “If farmers strongly opposed acquisition of fertile land, a proper way out will be found,” he said.He also announced relief for farmers using soil and sand to level fallow or uneven agricultural land, saying they would not be charged royalty. Orders have been issued to tehsildars, talathis and police officials to prevent hassles in obtaining such material.Bawankule further said 13 flood-affected villages in Narkhed taluka, relocated nearly three decades ago, would finally receive basic civic infrastructure. Funds have been sanctioned and works are to be completed within six months. He credited Katol MLA Charansingh Thakur with pursuing the issue and thanked Fadnavis for approving funds.
