Fadnavis takes a dig at Praniti, says neta should be told to 'get well soon'

Kolhapur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis , in a veiled attack on Solapur Congress MP Praniti Shinde , said she is unwell, and suggested people give her flowers and tell her to "get well soon" — a dialogue from the Sanjay Dutt-starrer movie ‘Munna Bhai MBBS'.

The comment came in response to Shinde's remark on excessive rainfall in the state. While demanding the declaration of a wet drought to provide relief to rain-ravaged farmers, Praniti Shinde had said the excessive rainfall in Sept in Solapur and Marathwada was the govt's doing.

Solapur gets air connectivity to Mumbai

Fadnavis was in Solapur on Wednesday to attend a function organised for the inaugural flight between Mumbai and Solapur. He said the Solapur district was the worst affected by rain, and state govt would start releasing compensation into the accounts of the affected farmers before Diwali. "Some people have been indulging in politics while the farmers were going through difficulties. The administration, however, ensured that help reached the last man. One of the politicians from Solapur said that the excessive rain was because of the govt. I think she is not keep well. Give her a flower and tell her to get well soon. We, meanwhile, will continue to serve people. For the first time, the highest compensation package of Rs 32,000 crore has been declared by govt for farmers," Fadnavis said.

The CM said that to fulfil the dreams of Solapur residents, govt sanctioned Rs 18 crore to make the flight service viable. "We will not stop here. We will ensure a night landing facility and a big aircraft landing facility are set up at the airport. We also have plans to set up an IT park for which airport connectivity is necessary," Fadnavis said.

He also announced that Rs 1,800 crore will be spent on a direct water supply pipeline and water supply network in the city so that residents get water to their taps every day. Currently, the city receives drinking water once a week.

Minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that after Mumbai, operators will be roped in to start flight services between Solapur and other major cities such as Hyderabad and Tirupati. The Solapur to Goa flight service, which started in June this year, is running smoothly, said airport assistant director Anjani Sharma.