Gadchiroli. Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nitin Gadkari said that the day is not far when Gadchiroli will become the most prosperous region of Maharashtra. He also accused the Forest Department of creating obstacles in the development of the Naxal-affected district. While campaigning for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Gadkari said that many iron ore companies are starting operations in Gadchiroli and suggested giving priority to local residents in jobs in these ventures.
Addressing an election rally in Ashti in Gadchiroli district, the former BJP president said his party will not approve any changes in the Constitution drafted by BR Ambedkar. The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister was campaigning for BJP candidate Milind Narote (Ashti seat) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Babarao Atram (Aheri constituency). Gadkari recalled the development work done in this district during his tenure as Maharashtra’s Public Works Department (PWD) minister (1995 to 1999).
The Lok Sabha member from Nagpur said that before he became Union Minister in 2014, Gadchiroli had only a 57 km long national highway, but now its length has increased almost 10 times to 541 km. Gadkari said that he has approved 35 projects worth Rs 4,000 crore in the district. Additionally, an amount of Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for the 140 km long road between Ashti and Sironcha. The Union Minister criticized the forest department, saying it was hindering the development of Gadchiroli district, located in the Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra. He said that forest and wildlife officials have blocked various development projects in the name of forest conservation.
The senior BJP leader said he was dedicated to the conservation of forests and environment, but he also stressed that development work and the welfare of the poor were equally important. The Union Minister said that many iron ore companies are setting up units in Gadchiroli, which will create huge employment opportunities for the people of the district. Addressing a public meeting, he said, “The day is not far when Gadchiroli will become the happiest, prosperous and prosperous district of Maharashtra. Gadkari said that some people are spreading false propaganda that BJP intends to change the Constitution. The BJP leader said, “We will neither change Baba Saheb’s Constitution nor allow anyone to change it.”
