Kartiki Yatra in Pandharpur to be organised on lines of Ashadhi, Guardian Minister Gore directs administration

Preparations for the Kartiki Yatra in Pandharpur will be made the same way as they were for the Ashadhi Yatra. Guardian Minister Jaykumar Gore assured that there would be no shortage of funds for the facilities of pilgrims.

Gore asked the administration to plan for potholes on the city's roads, repair of the Pradakshina Marg, cleaning of the Chandrabhaga river area and cleaning of the 65-acre Bhaktisagar complex. He also directed officials to arrange for all other facilities that pilgrims need.

The Guardian Minister was in Pandharpur for an event, where he spoke to reporters. MLA Samadhan Autade, former MLA Prashant Paricharak, District Collector S. Karthikeyan, tehsildar Sachin Langute and municipal council chief officer Mahesh Rokade were present. Officials from various departments were also there.

Gore said cleanliness, traffic management and many kinds of facilities for pilgrims had been provided in the city during the Ashadhi Yatra. All arrangements for the Kartiki Yatra would be made on the same lines. The administration would be given the necessary instructions. A separate meeting would be held soon to prepare for the yatra, at which the work of all departments would be reviewed. He said clearly that the administration should ensure that pilgrims coming to the yatra face no inconvenience.

Reporters asked about the criticism coming from MLA Rohit Pawar, and Gore took a sharp stand. He said, "I am the son of an ordinary farmer. I have not come into politics with a silver spoon or in the name of someone's grandfather. I have become an MLA four times through hard work and with the support of the people. I also know everything about everyone. But do not make me open my mouth. Today is the festival of Diwali, so I will not say much."

Gore's statement is being seen in political circles as an indirect reply to Pawar's criticism. Along with the development work of the Guardian Minister, who came to Pandharpur to prepare for the Kartiki Yatra, the remark is also being talked about.

During the conversation, Gore also took a dig at MLA Samadhan Autade. He said, "I am a medicine as beneficial as neem. Those who come in contact with me will behave well. Neem is bitter, yet it cures all ailments. MLA Samadhan dada, you too drink this neem decoction for me, so that your belly reduces." People present there broke into laughter.