In Gujarat’s Vadodara, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has maintained a firm hold on power for the past 30 years, the flood that struck on August 26 has uncovered the extent of alleged corruption within the local administration.
Residents have been left struggling with severe damage and losses worth crores. MLA Manisha Vakil and Mayor Pinky Soni are facing mounting criticism for their alleged failure to address critical infrastructure needs.
The flood’s impact was felt most acutely in Saideep Nagar Society on New VIP Road in Karelibaug, a ward under Mayor Soni’s jurisdiction.
Residents have taken to displaying banners condemning their elected officials. One banner clearly demands, “Resolve the water issue in the society, build the road approved in the MLA’s quota and leave the river passing by the society in its natural state instead of turning it into a drain.”
Locals said that since the foundation-laying ceremony, which Vakil herself attended, no significant advancement has been reached, even though a Rs 9 lakh grant had been given for road construction in their area. The aftermath of the flood has increased public uproar against BJP leaders.
Also Read: Coast Guard Chopper Crash: Bodies Of Two Crewmen Found, Search On For Third
