DAM 2 LAST (BES56)

(Reopens BES54) (Reopens BES54) Meanwhile, BJP Member of Parliament from Palghar ChintamanWanga boycotted the function to rechristen the dam in protestof "humiliation" by his party. Wanga said his name was initially dropped from theinvitation card and was later added as a damage control move. A visibly annoyed Wanga said he was invited for the eventthis morning, hours before it was to be held at around noon.Hence, he decided to stay from the function. He said tribal-dominated Mokhada taluka, where the dam islocated, faces water shortage, while Mumbai gets water fromthe reservoir. Wanga said a meagre compensation of Rs 19,000 per acre wasgiven to farmers who lost their land to the dam. The BJP MP had led an agitation against the project whenit was proposed. Wanga alleged authorities feared he might create sometrouble and hence kept him away from the function. The Parliamentarian said he will seek an appointment withthe Chief Minister and raise issues concerning the tribals inhis Lok Sabha constituency. PTI CORR RSYRCBRDS