Minister's foundation event turns into playful jab at Karad North politics

A foundation-laying ceremony for a government rest house was held recently in Umbraj village near Karad. Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, speaking at the event, announced development works while also making pointed, humorous remarks about the politics of Karad North, drawing chatter among those present.

About Rs 5.83 crore has been sanctioned for the rest house at Umbraj. Of this, around Rs 2.25 crore will be spent on the ground floor and about Rs 3.58 crore on the floor above. The ground floor will cover about 4,500 square feet, with total construction of 10,000 square feet. The work is planned to be completed in 18 months. The project proposes accommodation, meeting rooms, a reception area, dining facilities and other necessary amenities.

At the same event, Minister Bhosale also raised the issue of bridges at Masur and Pali. He directed the concerned officials to take immediate action on both bridges, and locals are hopeful this will speed up work on these issues.

Another notable moment was the minister's remarks about Legislative Council member Dhairyashil Kadam and Karad North MLA Manoj Ghorpade. The two had earlier political differences and rivalry, but both are now serving as elected representatives. Bhosale was quoted at the event as advising that, since Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had given both of them political opportunities, they should set aside their differences and work together for the development of Karad North.

In his characteristic playful style, Minister Bhosale said, "Feed sugarcane to the Ajinkyatara factory, pay a little attention to us too. I am helping generously, help us a little as well. We will never fall short in paying the sugarcane bill." His remarks drew loud applause from villagers.

Bhosale also made suggestive comments in his speech about the political equations in the Masur zilla parishad constituency, the last-minute changes in circumstances there, and the tangle over candidacy in the Umbraj zilla parishad constituency, touching on voter sentiment and shifting electoral equations. This sparked discussion given the upcoming local body elections. The question of political coordination between Ghorpade and Kadam in Karad North has come up before, with both leaders having publicly stated they intend to work together.

Between the foundation-laying of the rest house, urgent directions on the bridge issues, and the playful jabs at Karad North's political equations, the event at Umbraj became a focal point for both development work and political discussion.