Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Known for her controversial statements and actions, state minister Kusum Mehdele has again been caught with foot in her mouth.
The public health engineering minister told Shivpuri residents on Wednesday that ‘water would come only when God brings rain’ adding that ‘government did not have a water-manufacturing machine’.
Mehdele, who is in-charge minister for Shivpuri district was speaking to media persons following a district planning committee meeting. Her abovementioned strange response came when she was asked about the slow progress of the Shivpuri water augmentation scheme involving laying a pipeline from Manikheda dam.
Commerce and industries minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia was also present during the interaction. Shivpuri district is reeling under water crisis due to three consecutive drought years.
Earlier in November, Mehdele had landed in major controversy when she was caught on camera allegedly kicking a boy who had sought Re 1 from her. Despite major row, no action was taken on her.
The state unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has sought apology from the minister over her statement. Spokesman Akshay Hunka has said in a statement that the minister’s statement amidst severe water crisis in state is highly condemnable.
