Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on August 28 alleged that "urban Naxals" had opposed the ambitious Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river to deprive the state and arid Kutch region of water and development.
While addressing a gathering in Bhuj in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Patel also alleged that activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was an "urban Naxal" who had received political support as well.
Mr. Patel made the comments after the PM inaugurated the Bhuj-Mandvi Narmada branch canal, which has brought water to this arid region from the Sardar Sarovar dam in the Narmada district.