📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Pranjalvsv
Politics
Indore Water Crisis Meeting Marred by Absence of Five Legislators, Including MP Shankar Lalwani
✍️ Amar Ujala · Indore
🗓 16 Oct 2026, 08:31 PM
👁 15
A meeting chaired by Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya to address Indore's water shortage saw five legislators, among them MP Shankar Lalwani, absent, sparking criticism of political infighting.
The municipal corporation of Indore convened a high‑level meeting last week to discuss immediate measures for the city’s worsening water shortage. Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, a senior leader of the ruling party, chaired the session and outlined a plan that includes repairing pipelines, augmenting supply from nearby reservoirs, and expediting pending small‑scale projects.
Despite the urgency, five elected representatives failed to attend the gathering. Among them was Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani, accompanied by four state legislators whose names were not disclosed in official releases. Their collective absence was noted in the minutes and raised questions about the commitment of elected officials to the crisis.
Opposition voices and some party insiders seized on the absenteeism, labeling it as evidence of intra‑party factionalism. Critics argued that the lack of representation undermines the credibility of the council’s decisions and could delay the implementation of essential water‑saving initiatives.
Adding to the controversy, MLA Gaud, who was present, remarked that even minor works undertaken by the corporation often stall, questioning the benefit of the meeting if follow‑through remains weak. The statement highlighted broader concerns about administrative efficiency in addressing basic civic needs.
The council has pledged to reconvene within the next fortnight, aiming to secure broader legislative participation and to accelerate the rollout of short‑term relief measures for residents facing severe water scarcity.
Despite the urgency, five elected representatives failed to attend the gathering. Among them was Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani, accompanied by four state legislators whose names were not disclosed in official releases. Their collective absence was noted in the minutes and raised questions about the commitment of elected officials to the crisis.
Opposition voices and some party insiders seized on the absenteeism, labeling it as evidence of intra‑party factionalism. Critics argued that the lack of representation undermines the credibility of the council’s decisions and could delay the implementation of essential water‑saving initiatives.
Adding to the controversy, MLA Gaud, who was present, remarked that even minor works undertaken by the corporation often stall, questioning the benefit of the meeting if follow‑through remains weak. The statement highlighted broader concerns about administrative efficiency in addressing basic civic needs.
The council has pledged to reconvene within the next fortnight, aiming to secure broader legislative participation and to accelerate the rollout of short‑term relief measures for residents facing severe water scarcity.