Villagers Drag Boat Carrying Maharashtra MP During Flood Survey, Video Triggers Outrage

A viral photo from Majalgaon shows locals wading through floodwaters to drag a boat carrying NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Bajrang Sonawane, who remained seated as he toured the inundated area. (IMAGE: SOURCED)

During an inspection of flood-hit Majalgaon in Maharashtra’s Beed district, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Bajrang Sonawane was seen travelling in a small boat pulled by local villagers through waterlogged lanes. The video, which has since gone viral, shows residents wading in floodwaters to tug the makeshift vessel while the parliamentarian and other leaders, including Mohan Jagtap, remained seated as they surveyed the inundated area.

The incident comes amid heavy rainfall across Maharashtra, which claimed at least ten lives in rain-related incidents over a 24-hour period and prompted the rescue of more than 11,800 people, officials said on Sunday. Nashik recorded four deaths, including three due to a house collapse, while Dharashiv, Ahilyanagar, Jalna and Yavatmal also reported casualties.

In Marathwada, one of the worst-hit regions, inflow into the Jayakwadi dam on the Godavari river increased, leading authorities to open all gates. About 7,000 people were evacuated in Paithan of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar amid fears of flooding, and Harsul circle recorded 196 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours. Heavy rains also affected Beed, Nanded, and Parbhani districts.