The daggers are drawn in Madhya Pradesh between the main Opposition Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and there would be a major showdown between the two arch rivals as the Congress is ready to go ahead with its state-wide “jail bharo” (court arrest) agitation against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led state government on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at the state Congress headquarters here, Congress president Kantilal Bhuria said they have decided to observe 2012 as “Madhya Pradesh Bachao Year” (save Madhya Pradesh year). This is in sharp contrast to the state chief minister’s much hyped slogan “come let us build Madhya Pradesh”.
Mr Bhuria said that that he would lead the Congress agitation and court arrest in the state capital.
Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Singh would be spearheading the Congress demonstration in Indore on Monday.
The Congress chief said that the state government has failed to provide fertiliser, electricity and relief to the drought-hit farmers.
The issue of corruption, which was raised strongly in last session of the state Assembly, is also a matter of grave concern, he said, adding that Monday’s jail bharo agitation is aimed at giving voice to people’s anger against the state BJP government’s “misrule”.
When asked to comment on state ministers who addressed the media at the district headquarters on Sunday morning to counter the Congress agitation, Mr Bhuria said that this shows that the BJP and its leaders have gone on the defensive. He also alleged that there are indications that RSS-Bajrang Dal workers would be used to disrupt Congress party’s peaceful and democratic protest.
He further said that the official machinery would also be used to prevent a large number of people from joining the protest.
Earlier, addressing a press conference in the state capital, state minister for public relations, higher education and culture Lakshmikant Sharma accused the Congress of spreading misinformation to build up mob frenzy. He said that the state government has decided to go out to the people and set the record straight.
Mr Sharma said that the Centre is directly to be blamed for not meeting the state’s requirement of fertilisers and demand for electricity.