Dissent Over Cabinet Expansion Spreads In Madhya Pradesh BJP

By L S Herdenia

BHOPAL: Inclusion of two Jyotiraditya Scindia loyalists in the Shiv Raj Singh Chouhan cabinet has given rise to rebel like situation in Madhya Pradesh BJP. Going public Ajay Vishnoi, senior BJP legislator questioned the neglect of Mahakausal and Vindhya Pradesh in giving representation in the ministry. Another BJP MLA Mahesh Rai launched attack on the government for its failure to control open theft of Sand in the state.

Vishnoi represents Jabalupur in the Assembly. He has also served as Minister. Resentment over cabinet expansion of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh surfaced again with former minister and senior MLA Ajay Vishnoi raising the issue of regional imbalance in the team. Vishnoi said that Mahakaushal and Rewa divisions have only one berth each in the 31 member cabinet and leaders eyeing for a berth “can react but cannot do anything”

Vishnoi’s statement came in the wake of re-induction of two Scindia loyalists, Tulsiram Silawat and Govind Singh Rajput, who took oath, on Sunday. “One each of the 13 BJP MLAs from Mahakaushal and 18 in Vindhya have got the privilege of becoming a minister of state (MoS). Mahakaushal and Vindhya can flutter but cannot fly. Mahakaushal and Vindhya will have to be happy now… will have to keep flattering… Congratulations,” read a tweet by Vishnoi.

The former minister further said, “The government has been fully expanded in Madhya Pradesh. Every second BJP MLA from Gwalior, Chambal, Bhopal, Malwa regions is a minister. Every third BJP MLA from Sagar, Shahdol divisions is a minister. Mahakaushal cannot fly high, can only flutter,” he further tweeted.

After BJP’s by poll victory in November last year, Vishnoi, who is a MLA from Patan in Jabalpur, has called on chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the latter’s residence where Chouhan had offered him sweets on party’s performance. On Sunday when two Scindia loyalists were sworn-in as ministers, several senior leaders in the BJP were expecting to get a berth as four more members could be adjusted in the cabinet. But none of the old guards appeared in the list and Scindia emerged dominating among other leaders.

In a separate statement BJP legislator from Bina questioned the failure of administration in controlling the theft of Sand.

Mahesh Rai has alleged “favouritism” by the district administration and Police while initiating action against the sand mafia in Bina. He said that it is not sand mining, it is “sand theft”.

The two-time MLA also expressed “pain” that he has not been in power. “Had I been in power and occupying an important place in power, I would have also been able to bring development in my area.” Rai was talking to the media in Bina a day before cabinet expansion.

Referring to illegal sand mining in a Betwa river, Rai said that, “It is not a vyavsay (trade) but chori (theft) and people from all the parties are involved in it.” He said that those taking action “are partial”. “Some officers take food in hotels and protect those who are in sand mining . This is Wrong,” he said.

Illegal sand mining is taking place in Betwa river in the region, he alleged without mentioning the names of Bhupendra Singh, the minister for UDA and MLA from neighbouring Khurai, the BJP MLA said, “see in the neighbourhood there is so much development. Politics is the game of Power. Had I also been in the power, I would have developed my region.”

The MLA was referring to a bypass road in Bina, a major railway junction “surrounded by the railway tracks”. He said he got a survey done and it would require Rs 250 crore and that he would try to send the proposal for the bypass to Delhi.

There is no doubt that there is substance in Mahesh Rai’s charge that theft of sand is going on a large scale. Chief Minister has ordered immediate transfer of Katni Superintendent of Police for his failure to control “loot” of Sand.

CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan ordered the transfer of Katni SP Lalit Shankar on Monday.

The CM has expressed displeasure with officials during the Collectors and Commissioners conference, say sources.

A viral video of the meeting shows the CM demanding answers from the Gwalior municipal commissioner over delay in payment of salaries to the sanitation workers, who had dumped garbage on the streets of Gwalior in protest.

“You are the municipal commissioner and we saw dumping of garbage by the angry employees. Who is responsible?,” the chief minister is heard saying in the video. The CM is upset by the illegal sand mining in Katni and ordered the administration to take the strong steps to stop illegal mining transportation and storage of sand. Special attention should be given to Katni as there are more complaints in that district, he said. (IPA Service)