'I will fast unto death if Ganga cleaning plans don't start by October 2018', says Uma Bharti

Union minister Uma Bharti, on Tuesday, said she would launch 'mahaupvaas se mahaprayan' (fast unto death) if implementation of plans related to Ganga cleaning did not start by October next year.

The drinking water and sanitation minister made the remarks in the presence of Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari at an event in New Delhi.

Bharti had held the portfolio of water resources before Gadkari took charge of the ministry following a reshuffle of the Union Cabinet in September.

"I want to see each Ganga-related plan being implemented by October, 2018. I am not saying that I want to see complete execution of the plans, but am keen on seeing the beginning or mid-way of the execution," she said at the event.

"If it did not happen, I will go for 'mahaupvaas' till 'mahaprayan' at Triveni Sangam in Prayag (in Uttar Pradesh)," she said.

Bharti also praised Gadkari, stating that the strings of the ministry implementing Ganga cleaning works were in the hands of the "right person".

Addressing the attendees at the event, largely comprising officials and scientists, the minister said the BJP-led NDA government had the mandate to rule the country till February, 2019 and therefore, the works had to be completed by October, 2018.

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"Who has seen time (future)? Hence, we have to implement the Ganga-related plans by October, 2018," she said.