'Power crisis in Maharashtra due to…': BJP leader hits out at state govt

Speaking to reporters here, BJP leader Girish Mahajan said the MVA government was harassing people, farmers and industrialists by creating an "artificial power crisis" and was then blaming the Centre for irregular coal supply.

BJP leader Girish Mahajan on Monday said the power crisis in Maharashtra was caused due to mismanagement of the MVA government and the previous Devendra Fadnavis dispensation had ensured the state did not face load-shedding even for a day.

Not a single power plant has stopped functioning due to shortage of coal as the Centre was ensuring regular supply, Mahajan claimed.(File photo. Representative image)

Speaking to reporters here, Mahajan said the MVA government was harassing people, farmers and industrialists by creating an "artificial power crisis" and was then blaming the Centre for irregular coal supply.

Not a single power plant has stopped functioning due to shortage of coal as the Centre was ensuring regular supply, Mahajan claimed.

"The power crisis is taking place due to shoddy planning and mismanagement by the state government. When demand is at its peak, power plants generating 2000 MW are undergoing maintenance work, whereas such procedures should be done during low demand," he said.

"Power plants are being kept shut deliberately, an artificial power shortage is being created, then electricity is bought at higher rates to earn commission, cuts. Portray a picture that there is coal shortage and then buy coal from private firms at higher prices and earn cuts," Mahajan alleged.

Talking about the alleged conspiracy mentioned by special public prosecutor Pravin Chavan to "finish" BJP leaders in the state, Mahajan said the issue must be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation as it looks like a conspiracy of the state government, its ministers etc and a probe by the CID would not ensure justice