India, Oct. 25 -- The water crisis in Navi Mumbai's CIDCO nodes has escalated into a political flashpoint, with Panvel MLA Prashant Thakur demanding that no new housing projects be cleared until adequate water supply is ensured-a demand earlier raised by the Kharghar and Taloja Cooperative Housing Societies Federation as well.

In a strongly worded representation to CIDCO vice-chairman and managing director Vijay Singhal, Thakur said that commencement and occupation certificates (CC/OC) for new projects must be withheld as long as existing residents had to struggle for basic water. The BJP strongman warned that if the situation persisted, he would be compelled to lead a mass agitation along with citizens, even hinting that public anger co...