News Analysis India

Tag: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

  • BJP Conspired To End Shivraj Singh’s Political Career, Claims Congress’ Banna Gupta |

    New Delhi: Congress leader and Jharkhand Cabinet Minister Banna Gupta on Wednesday alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party for conspiring against Shivraj Singh Chauhan to end his political career.

    Speaking with ANI, Banna Gupta said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party has conspired against Shivraj Singh Chauhan to end his political career, but it was the public of Madhya Pradesh which made him victorious again by 8 lakh votes.”

    He further added, “When BJP saw his popularity and felt difficult to end his career, they placed him in the Modi 3.0 cabinet and made him in charge of Jharkhand. But BJP’s formulas and tactics will not work in Jharkhand because of their ill deeds.

    “They tried to diminish the constitution, in 2018 they tried to change the SC-ST law and now they were trying to turn the democracy into indentured labour. Their narrative was spotted by everyone in Jharkhand and in the whole nation. This is the reason behind the destruction of their 400-paar agenda and they were left with only 241 seats in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024,” said Banna Gupta.

    The reaction came after BJP’s senior leader and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was made the in-charge and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma co-in-charge of Jharkhand BJP in the run-up to the upcoming state assembly elections.

    Earlier, on June 10, after the swearing-in of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Kalpana Soren as MLA from Gandey assembly constituency, Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta expressed confidence that JMM will form government in Jharkhand again with full majority.

    Banna Gupta said, “Kalpana Soren is a very intelligent, educated woman. She was a housewife but after the way her husband was humiliated, tortured and sent to jail, she came out to fulfil her husband’s responsibility and protect the people. She has won the election from Gandey. In the coming time, our government will be formed again in Jharkhand and it will be with full majority.”

    He further said that the focus of the JMM government was to give jobs to the youth.”Whether it is the Surgeon pension scheme, Old pension scheme, or Jal Samriddhi Yojana we have done a lot of public-centric work. Our focus is on employment to the youth and we have prepared a lot of schemes to provide them jobs,” he added. 

  • Poll-ready Shivraj Singh Chouhan may rejig cabinet

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL:  With assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh barely three months away, there is a strong buzz that the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet is likely to expand his cabinet in the next couple of days. There are at least three berths in the current council of ministers vacant. 

    The possibility of cabinet expansion a few months ahead of the polls has been triggered by Chouhan’s meeting with Governor Mangubhai C Patel on Tuesday night. Names of former ministers Rajendra Shukla, Gaurishankar Bisen and Jalam Singh Patel are in the race to become ministers. Shukla is a powerful four-time Brahmin MLA from Rewa district, Patel is brother of Union minister Prahlad Singh Patel.

    Bisen and Jalam Singh Patel are from the OBC community, which forms more than 50% of the state’s voters and is seen as the ruling BJP’s main vote bank in MP. Two other OBC Lodhi leaders, including ex-CM Uma Bharti’s first-time MLA nephew Rahul Singh, and Pritam Singh Lodhi (declared candidate from Pichhore seat of Shivpuri district of Gwalior-Chambal region) who is also a distant relative of Bharti, are, too, said to be contenders.

    The surprising move is being seen among political circles as BJP’s efforts to cement the support of its loyal OBC voters, particularly the Lodhi caste, which for long has been seen as traditional BJP voters, particularly due to their caste leader Uma Bharti. The possibility of 71-year-old former agriculture minister Gaurishankar Bisen being included in the cabinet just ahead of polls is being seen as an attempt to gracefully retire him from politics. Importantly, the seven-time MLA from Maoist-hit Balaghat district has stated that he will not contest next polls, particularly if his daughter Mausam Bisen is fielded by the party from the same unreserved seat.

    Shukla, who has been a key part of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP governments in the past, is stated to be a frontrunner for the possible cabinet expansion. His name is particularly being considered, as part of possible damage control exercise by the party to keep him in good humour in the wake of reports about him and his close aide Semariya (Rewa) MLA KP Tripathi, being upset over return of ex-MLA couple Abhay Mishra and Neelam Mishra into the party after five years.  

    Shukla and Tripathi have made their opposition to the Mishra couple’s return to the party clear to a senior leader of the state BJP, after which the ruling party is busy in ensuring that Shukla and Tripathi are not at all won over by the opposition Congress. The party is also trying to address a long-standing regional imbalance in ministry, particularly over the presence of very few ministers from the Vindhya region, which was swept by the BJP in the 2018 polls.

    Reacting to the possibility of the cabinet expansion, state BJP chief VD Sharma said, “It’s the CM’s prerogative and can happen anytime.” However, sources close to some MLAs whose names are in the running for inclusion in the cabinet, told this newspaper that the late cabinet expansion may actually hurt their poll prospects, especially by raising people’s expectations in respective assembly seats barely a month and half before elections are announced.

    BHOPAL:  With assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh barely three months away, there is a strong buzz that the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet is likely to expand his cabinet in the next couple of days. There are at least three berths in the current council of ministers vacant. 

    The possibility of cabinet expansion a few months ahead of the polls has been triggered by Chouhan’s meeting with Governor Mangubhai C Patel on Tuesday night. Names of former ministers Rajendra Shukla, Gaurishankar Bisen and Jalam Singh Patel are in the race to become ministers. Shukla is a powerful four-time Brahmin MLA from Rewa district, Patel is brother of Union minister Prahlad Singh Patel.

    Bisen and Jalam Singh Patel are from the OBC community, which forms more than 50% of the state’s voters and is seen as the ruling BJP’s main vote bank in MP. Two other OBC Lodhi leaders, including ex-CM Uma Bharti’s first-time MLA nephew Rahul Singh, and Pritam Singh Lodhi (declared candidate from Pichhore seat of Shivpuri district of Gwalior-Chambal region) who is also a distant relative of Bharti, are, too, said to be contenders.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The surprising move is being seen among political circles as BJP’s efforts to cement the support of its loyal OBC voters, particularly the Lodhi caste, which for long has been seen as traditional BJP voters, particularly due to their caste leader Uma Bharti. The possibility of 71-year-old former agriculture minister Gaurishankar Bisen being included in the cabinet just ahead of polls is being seen as an attempt to gracefully retire him from politics. Importantly, the seven-time MLA from Maoist-hit Balaghat district has stated that he will not contest next polls, particularly if his daughter Mausam Bisen is fielded by the party from the same unreserved seat.

    Shukla, who has been a key part of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP governments in the past, is stated to be a frontrunner for the possible cabinet expansion. His name is particularly being considered, as part of possible damage control exercise by the party to keep him in good humour in the wake of reports about him and his close aide Semariya (Rewa) MLA KP Tripathi, being upset over return of ex-MLA couple Abhay Mishra and Neelam Mishra into the party after five years.  

    Shukla and Tripathi have made their opposition to the Mishra couple’s return to the party clear to a senior leader of the state BJP, after which the ruling party is busy in ensuring that Shukla and Tripathi are not at all won over by the opposition Congress. The party is also trying to address a long-standing regional imbalance in ministry, particularly over the presence of very few ministers from the Vindhya region, which was swept by the BJP in the 2018 polls.

    Reacting to the possibility of the cabinet expansion, state BJP chief VD Sharma said, “It’s the CM’s prerogative and can happen anytime.” However, sources close to some MLAs whose names are in the running for inclusion in the cabinet, told this newspaper that the late cabinet expansion may actually hurt their poll prospects, especially by raising people’s expectations in respective assembly seats barely a month and half before elections are announced.

  • Police use water cannon on Congress workers protesting against exam ‘scam’ in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: Several Congress workers and leaders were injured allegedly in police action during their protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari Recruitment Exam in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal on Saturday.

    The critically injured party members included newly appointed Bhopal district Congress president Monu Saxena and female worker Mahak Rana.

    The incident happened when around 200 Congress workers as part of their march to Chief Minister  Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s house, tried to make their way through the barricades near the Banganga Crossing.

    The protestors did not stop despite the barricades; instead, they climbed on the top of the barricades which resulted in the police using water cannon to stop them.

    Due to the sudden force of water, some Congress workers fell down from the barricades, while other workers of the opposition party were injured allegedly after being pulled down by on-duty cops.

    While local MLA and former MP minister PC Sharma alleged that more than 20 workers and leaders were hurt in a police lathi charge, a senior on-duty police officer denied any police cane charge and instead blamed the protestors for getting injured due to falling from the barricades after coming in contact with the sudden rush of water from the water cannon.

    Visuals of the protest showed deep injuries to at least two Congress workers, including Bhopal district Congress chief Monu Saxena who sustained a deep injury in the eye and Mahak Rana.

    Congress workers injured during protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari recruitment exam in Bhopal.

    While condemning police action on the party workers in Bhopal, state Congress president Kamal Nath said, “I want to say very clearly to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government that the people of Madhya Pradesh have made up their mind to uproot the BJP government. Neither the Congress workers nor the people of Madhya Pradesh are afraid of your atrocities. Each and every worker of the Congress will continue to fight the battle to uproot the misrule with double enthusiasm.”

    For the last four days, the opposition Congress has been alleging major irregularities in the March-April Patwari Recruitment Exam conducted by the Employee Selection Board-ESB (formerly known as Vyapam).

    The Congress has been particularly alleging scams in the recruitment test based on the declaration of the ten toppers of the exam, seven of whom had appeared in the test on different dates and different shifts at the same examination centre in a management and engineering college run by BJP MLA Sanjiv Singh Kushwah in Gwalior district.

    The state Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta had recently alleged major irregularities in candidates under the disabled category, claiming that a large number of them were from one part of Morena district only.

    The principal opposition party has demanded a CBI probe into the matter, even as the MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced putting an on hold appointment based on the exam results and also ordered a re-examination of results of the concerned exam centre in Gwalior district. 

    BHOPAL: Several Congress workers and leaders were injured allegedly in police action during their protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari Recruitment Exam in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal on Saturday.

    The critically injured party members included newly appointed Bhopal district Congress president Monu Saxena and female worker Mahak Rana.

    The incident happened when around 200 Congress workers as part of their march to Chief Minister  Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s house, tried to make their way through the barricades near the Banganga Crossing.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The protestors did not stop despite the barricades; instead, they climbed on the top of the barricades which resulted in the police using water cannon to stop them.

    Due to the sudden force of water, some Congress workers fell down from the barricades, while other workers of the opposition party were injured allegedly after being pulled down by on-duty cops.

    While local MLA and former MP minister PC Sharma alleged that more than 20 workers and leaders were hurt in a police lathi charge, a senior on-duty police officer denied any police cane charge and instead blamed the protestors for getting injured due to falling from the barricades after coming in contact with the sudden rush of water from the water cannon.

    Visuals of the protest showed deep injuries to at least two Congress workers, including Bhopal district Congress chief Monu Saxena who sustained a deep injury in the eye and Mahak Rana.

    Congress workers injured during protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari recruitment exam in Bhopal.

    While condemning police action on the party workers in Bhopal, state Congress president Kamal Nath said, “I want to say very clearly to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government that the people of Madhya Pradesh have made up their mind to uproot the BJP government. Neither the Congress workers nor the people of Madhya Pradesh are afraid of your atrocities. Each and every worker of the Congress will continue to fight the battle to uproot the misrule with double enthusiasm.”

    For the last four days, the opposition Congress has been alleging major irregularities in the March-April Patwari Recruitment Exam conducted by the Employee Selection Board-ESB (formerly known as Vyapam).

    The Congress has been particularly alleging scams in the recruitment test based on the declaration of the ten toppers of the exam, seven of whom had appeared in the test on different dates and different shifts at the same examination centre in a management and engineering college run by BJP MLA Sanjiv Singh Kushwah in Gwalior district.

    The state Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta had recently alleged major irregularities in candidates under the disabled category, claiming that a large number of them were from one part of Morena district only.

    The principal opposition party has demanded a CBI probe into the matter, even as the MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced putting an on hold appointment based on the exam results and also ordered a re-examination of results of the concerned exam centre in Gwalior district. 

  • SP, BSP attack BJP over Madhya Pradesh urination incident

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: The opposition Samajwadi Party and BSP in Uttar Pradesh slammed the BJP on Thursday over the incident in which a tribal man was urinated upon in Madhya Pradesh.

    The urination incident took place in Sidhi district of the BJP-ruled state. The accused was arrested after a purported video of the act surfaced online and charged under several provisions of the law, including the stringent National Security Act.

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday washed the feet of the tribal man while sitting on the floor of his official residence in Bhopal to express sorrow over the incident and apologised to him.

    Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said the chief minister was indulging in “theatrics” and a “political stunt” ahead of the assembly elections.

    “The chief minister of Madhya Pradesh calling the victim of the urination incident from Sidhi district to his official residence in Bhopal, about 600 kilometres away, and washing his feet in front of the camera seems to be less of government remorse and more of theatrics and politics of electoral interest.

    Is such an exhibition appropriate,” she asked in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Since the elections to the Madhya Pradesh assembly are around the corner, the government’s uneasiness is natural. But the SC, ST, backward and Muslim communities, as well as others in the state will definitely demand an account of the extent to which their lives have suffered due to inflation and unemployment,” Mayawati added.

    SP president Akhilesh Yadav said the incident was another shameful chapter in the history of Dalit people.

    “The demonic, heinous act by a BJP worker on a tribal in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district is another shameful chapter in the history of centuries of oppression on the Dalit society. Is this the only achievement of 18 years of the BJP rule in MP? Arrogance will drown the BJP,” Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi.

    LUCKNOW: The opposition Samajwadi Party and BSP in Uttar Pradesh slammed the BJP on Thursday over the incident in which a tribal man was urinated upon in Madhya Pradesh.

    The urination incident took place in Sidhi district of the BJP-ruled state. The accused was arrested after a purported video of the act surfaced online and charged under several provisions of the law, including the stringent National Security Act.

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday washed the feet of the tribal man while sitting on the floor of his official residence in Bhopal to express sorrow over the incident and apologised to him.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said the chief minister was indulging in “theatrics” and a “political stunt” ahead of the assembly elections.

    “The chief minister of Madhya Pradesh calling the victim of the urination incident from Sidhi district to his official residence in Bhopal, about 600 kilometres away, and washing his feet in front of the camera seems to be less of government remorse and more of theatrics and politics of electoral interest.

    Is such an exhibition appropriate,” she asked in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Since the elections to the Madhya Pradesh assembly are around the corner, the government’s uneasiness is natural. But the SC, ST, backward and Muslim communities, as well as others in the state will definitely demand an account of the extent to which their lives have suffered due to inflation and unemployment,” Mayawati added.

    SP president Akhilesh Yadav said the incident was another shameful chapter in the history of Dalit people.

    “The demonic, heinous act by a BJP worker on a tribal in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district is another shameful chapter in the history of centuries of oppression on the Dalit society. Is this the only achievement of 18 years of the BJP rule in MP? Arrogance will drown the BJP,” Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi.

  • In poll year, BJP government in Madhya Pradesh decides to legalise unauthorised colonies

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Tuesday that all unauthorised colonies built until December 31, 2022 in the Assembly polls-bound state would be legalised.

    Making the announcement at an event on regularisation of unauthorised colonies and associated civil infrastructure development and building permission grant, the CM added that necessary funds will be made available for development of these newly legalised colonies.

    Tuesday’s decision is likely to benefit 20 lakh people, which may eventually strengthen the ruling BJP’s support base in urban pockets, particularly in the mushrooming colonies on the outskirts of big cities.

    “All arrangements related to infrastructure will be made. Along with water and electricity, other arrangements will be ensured. Development fees will not be charged from poor residents of these colonies. The houses built will be accepted and given permission in the same condition,” he said.

    He, however, said that if any illegal colony comes up in future, it will be the responsibility of the concerned officials. Officers must keep a close watch to prevent this, he added.

    With this development, the residents of legalised colonies will be able to get bank loans. Money from MLA and MP LAD funds can be released for development. He said that resident associations should also be formed in the colonies. A public campaign should be started to ensure that the colonies do not lag behind in cleanliness.

    The CM further asked all the urban bodies to provide necessary cooperation to the resident associations of the legalized colonies.

    Addressing the same program, the CM said that poor people coming to the city for work should be provided meals for Rs 5 under the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana. No person should sleep hungry in this state.

    While asking to strike a humane balance in anti-encroachment removal drives, the CM said there should not be any crisis over the livelihood of hand cart pushers.

    Addressing the event, the state urban development and housing minister Bhupendra Singh said action is being taken to legalise 6077 unauthorised colonies built up to December 31, 2016. Legalising unauthorised colonies built up to December 31, 2022 will benefit residents of 2500 additional colonies.

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Tuesday that all unauthorised colonies built until December 31, 2022 in the Assembly polls-bound state would be legalised.

    Making the announcement at an event on regularisation of unauthorised colonies and associated civil infrastructure development and building permission grant, the CM added that necessary funds will be made available for development of these newly legalised colonies.

    Tuesday’s decision is likely to benefit 20 lakh people, which may eventually strengthen the ruling BJP’s support base in urban pockets, particularly in the mushrooming colonies on the outskirts of big cities.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “All arrangements related to infrastructure will be made. Along with water and electricity, other arrangements will be ensured. Development fees will not be charged from poor residents of these colonies. The houses built will be accepted and given permission in the same condition,” he said.

    He, however, said that if any illegal colony comes up in future, it will be the responsibility of the concerned officials. Officers must keep a close watch to prevent this, he added.

    With this development, the residents of legalised colonies will be able to get bank loans. Money from MLA and MP LAD funds can be released for development. He said that resident associations should also be formed in the colonies. A public campaign should be started to ensure that the colonies do not lag behind in cleanliness.

    The CM further asked all the urban bodies to provide necessary cooperation to the resident associations of the legalized colonies.

    Addressing the same program, the CM said that poor people coming to the city for work should be provided meals for Rs 5 under the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana. No person should sleep hungry in this state.

    While asking to strike a humane balance in anti-encroachment removal drives, the CM said there should not be any crisis over the livelihood of hand cart pushers.

    Addressing the event, the state urban development and housing minister Bhupendra Singh said action is being taken to legalise 6077 unauthorised colonies built up to December 31, 2016. Legalising unauthorised colonies built up to December 31, 2022 will benefit residents of 2500 additional colonies.

  • Maharana Pratap birth anniversary: MP CM announces to set up memorial for warrior king in Bhopal

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to set up ‘Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Lok’ in Bhopal to inspire future generations about legendary Rajput warrior king Maharana Pratap’s struggle.

    Addressing the main event to mark Maharana Pratap Jayanti (which was declared a public holiday in the state) on Monday, Chouhan said the life and words of Maharana Pratap will be depicted at the memorial. Along with it, the contribution of his seven associates Bhamashah, Punjabhil, Chetak and others will also be pictorially depicted.

    The CM further announced that stories of bravery and valour of Maharana Pratap will be taught in the school curriculum in the state. Along with this, Maharana Pratap Welfare Board will also be constituted.

    The event held at the state capital’s Lal Parade Ground, was attended among others by union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar (who hails from the Rajput/Kshatriya caste) and great warrior king’s descendent Maharaj Kumar Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar.

    Recalling the commitment of Maharana Pratap to protect the motherland, the CM said, “It is my vow that those who are against the country will not be spared. It is our religion to eliminate terrorists.”

    Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the MP CM has done a historic work by declaring Maharana Pratap’s birth anniversary as a holiday in MP and installing the statue of Queen Padmavati in Bhopal.

    The statue was unveiled on Monday.

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to set up ‘Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Lok’ in Bhopal to inspire future generations about legendary Rajput warrior king Maharana Pratap’s struggle.

    Addressing the main event to mark Maharana Pratap Jayanti (which was declared a public holiday in the state) on Monday, Chouhan said the life and words of Maharana Pratap will be depicted at the memorial. Along with it, the contribution of his seven associates Bhamashah, Punjabhil, Chetak and others will also be pictorially depicted.

    The CM further announced that stories of bravery and valour of Maharana Pratap will be taught in the school curriculum in the state. Along with this, Maharana Pratap Welfare Board will also be constituted.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The event held at the state capital’s Lal Parade Ground, was attended among others by union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar (who hails from the Rajput/Kshatriya caste) and great warrior king’s descendent Maharaj Kumar Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar.

    Recalling the commitment of Maharana Pratap to protect the motherland, the CM said, “It is my vow that those who are against the country will not be spared. It is our religion to eliminate terrorists.”

    Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the MP CM has done a historic work by declaring Maharana Pratap’s birth anniversary as a holiday in MP and installing the statue of Queen Padmavati in Bhopal.

    The statue was unveiled on Monday.

  • After Gujarat, MP House resolution against BBC documentary

    Express News Service

    BHOPAL:  Three days after PM Narendra Modi’s home state Gujarat passed a resolution against the BBC documentary on the 2002 Godhra riots, another BJP-ruled state of Madhya Pradesh on Monday cleared a censure motion on the same issue.

    The MP Vidhan Sabha, which resumed its Budget session on Monday, after a 10-day festive break, passed the censure motion against the BBC documentary for allegedly tarnishing PM Modi’s image. The motion, which was passed by voice vote, was moved as a private member resolution by three-time BJP legislator Shailendra Jain and seconded by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra.

    Moving the resolution, the BJP legislator accused the BBC of telecasting an objectionable documentary by misinterpreting the 2002 riots and ultimately presenting the then Gujarat CM and present PM in a bad light. He also alleged that the BBC documentary had even cast aspersions on the judiciary, which amounted to contempt of court. Jain demanded strict action against BBC.

    Subsequently, the resolution was put to test by the Assembly Speaker, followed by its passage with a voice vote in the 230-strong House, where the BJP enjoys a majority with 120-plus members.

    CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “The Vidhan Sabha accepted and passed with a voice vote the BJP MLA Shailendra Jain’s private member resolution, demanding strict action against the broadcaster, which while wearing the mask of investigative journalism, has actually attacked India’s sovereignty through the documentary. The broadcaster has tried to weaken India’s constitution…” 

    “It’s to condemn BBC’s act and demand action against the broadcasters that the censure motion has been passed by MP Vidhan Sabha today.”

    BHOPAL:  Three days after PM Narendra Modi’s home state Gujarat passed a resolution against the BBC documentary on the 2002 Godhra riots, another BJP-ruled state of Madhya Pradesh on Monday cleared a censure motion on the same issue.

    The MP Vidhan Sabha, which resumed its Budget session on Monday, after a 10-day festive break, passed the censure motion against the BBC documentary for allegedly tarnishing PM Modi’s image. The motion, which was passed by voice vote, was moved as a private member resolution by three-time BJP legislator Shailendra Jain and seconded by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra.

    Moving the resolution, the BJP legislator accused the BBC of telecasting an objectionable documentary by misinterpreting the 2002 riots and ultimately presenting the then Gujarat CM and present PM in a bad light. He also alleged that the BBC documentary had even cast aspersions on the judiciary, which amounted to contempt of court. Jain demanded strict action against BBC.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Subsequently, the resolution was put to test by the Assembly Speaker, followed by its passage with a voice vote in the 230-strong House, where the BJP enjoys a majority with 120-plus members.

    CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “The Vidhan Sabha accepted and passed with a voice vote the BJP MLA Shailendra Jain’s private member resolution, demanding strict action against the broadcaster, which while wearing the mask of investigative journalism, has actually attacked India’s sovereignty through the documentary. The broadcaster has tried to weaken India’s constitution…” 

    “It’s to condemn BBC’s act and demand action against the broadcasters that the censure motion has been passed by MP Vidhan Sabha today.”

  • Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan completes two years of his daily tree plantation drive 

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan completed two years of his daily tree plantation drive on the birth anniversary of legendary Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Sunday.

    The occasion was marked by the CM and members of his council of ministers embarking on a massive tree plantation program to develop a huge man-made forest near the Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal.

    Addressing the occasion, the CM said that Bhopal-based Shri Ram Astha Mission will take care of Shri Ram Van, the huge man-made forest near the Bhopal Airport. A total of 1.40 lakh trees of 120 species will be planted there.

    While recounting the daily tree plantation drive started by him on February 19, 2021 from Amarkantak (Anuppur district) – the origin of river Narmada – the CM said that in the last two years, not a single day has passed when saplings weren’t planted.

    Even during the Corona period, he planted saplings daily while taking all due precautions. He informed about having planted trees not only in MP but also in 12 other states as part of his resolve to plant saplings daily.

    The work of planting saplings at many places in the state has been done with public cooperation. Apart from Smart Udyan in Bhopal, the guests of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan and representatives of the G-20 countries also planted saplings in the Global Garden of Indore.

    CM unveils grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the Maratha warrior king’s Jayanti in Kamal Nath’s bastion Chhindwara:

    The MP CM marked the Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti by unveiling a grand statue of the legendary Maratha warrior king at the Sausar area of Chhindwara district. He also unveiled and laid the foundation stone of development works worth Rs 122 crore.

    Importantly, while Chhindwara district has over four decades been the pocket-borough of ex-CM and state Congress Kamal Nath, the Sausar area there, which also houses Nath’s village, was in the centre of controversy in February 2020 (while Nath was the state’s CM) over the removal of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s bust that was put at Mohgaon Tiraha (Sausar) by right-wing Hindu outfits, including Shiv Sena.

    The bust put at the busy road tri-square by the Hindu outfits was removed with a JCB machine in February 2020 by the local administration, as the Hindu right-wingers had put the bust there without the permission of authorities.

    Chouhan had subsequently led a massive protest in the same town against the removal of the bust.

    Recounting the three years old incidents at the function on Sunday, Chouhan said “the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sausar was removed by running a bulldozer during the regime of the previous government. Chhatrapati was grossly insulted, it hurt the sentiments of all our countrymen. That’s why we decided that a big statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would be installed here and he would be given full respect. The youth will be inspired by his patriotic stories. Chhatrapati Shivaji is our idol.”

    Responding to Chouhan’s statements on the February 2020 issue, the Congress MLA from Sausar seat, Vijay Chaure said, “The MP CM is taking false credit for the statue of the Hindu Hriday Samrat Chhatrapati Shivaji. The local administration had attempted to remove the bust in February 2020, as it was without any permission. Just a few days later, then CM Kamal Nath and his local MP son had got decks cleared for installing a grander statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Now the present CM is trying to take false credit for unveiling a new statue. The same officials who attempted the removal of Shivaji’s bust in February 2020 are now welcoming the present CM, why hasn’t he acted against them over the last three years?”

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan completed two years of his daily tree plantation drive on the birth anniversary of legendary Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Sunday.

    The occasion was marked by the CM and members of his council of ministers embarking on a massive tree plantation program to develop a huge man-made forest near the Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal.

    Addressing the occasion, the CM said that Bhopal-based Shri Ram Astha Mission will take care of Shri Ram Van, the huge man-made forest near the Bhopal Airport. A total of 1.40 lakh trees of 120 species will be planted there.

    While recounting the daily tree plantation drive started by him on February 19, 2021 from Amarkantak (Anuppur district) – the origin of river Narmada – the CM said that in the last two years, not a single day has passed when saplings weren’t planted.

    Even during the Corona period, he planted saplings daily while taking all due precautions. He informed about having planted trees not only in MP but also in 12 other states as part of his resolve to plant saplings daily.

    The work of planting saplings at many places in the state has been done with public cooperation. Apart from Smart Udyan in Bhopal, the guests of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan and representatives of the G-20 countries also planted saplings in the Global Garden of Indore.

    CM unveils grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the Maratha warrior king’s Jayanti in Kamal Nath’s bastion Chhindwara:

    The MP CM marked the Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti by unveiling a grand statue of the legendary Maratha warrior king at the Sausar area of Chhindwara district. He also unveiled and laid the foundation stone of development works worth Rs 122 crore.

    Importantly, while Chhindwara district has over four decades been the pocket-borough of ex-CM and state Congress Kamal Nath, the Sausar area there, which also houses Nath’s village, was in the centre of controversy in February 2020 (while Nath was the state’s CM) over the removal of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s bust that was put at Mohgaon Tiraha (Sausar) by right-wing Hindu outfits, including Shiv Sena.

    The bust put at the busy road tri-square by the Hindu outfits was removed with a JCB machine in February 2020 by the local administration, as the Hindu right-wingers had put the bust there without the permission of authorities.

    Chouhan had subsequently led a massive protest in the same town against the removal of the bust.

    Recounting the three years old incidents at the function on Sunday, Chouhan said “the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sausar was removed by running a bulldozer during the regime of the previous government. Chhatrapati was grossly insulted, it hurt the sentiments of all our countrymen. That’s why we decided that a big statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would be installed here and he would be given full respect. The youth will be inspired by his patriotic stories. Chhatrapati Shivaji is our idol.”

    Responding to Chouhan’s statements on the February 2020 issue, the Congress MLA from Sausar seat, Vijay Chaure said, “The MP CM is taking false credit for the statue of the Hindu Hriday Samrat Chhatrapati Shivaji. The local administration had attempted to remove the bust in February 2020, as it was without any permission. Just a few days later, then CM Kamal Nath and his local MP son had got decks cleared for installing a grander statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Now the present CM is trying to take false credit for unveiling a new statue. The same officials who attempted the removal of Shivaji’s bust in February 2020 are now welcoming the present CM, why hasn’t he acted against them over the last three years?”

  • MP tailoring new excise policy to discourage liquor consumption, says CM

    By PTI

    JABALPUR: The Madhya Pradesh government is working on a new excise policy aimed at discouraging liquor consumption in the state, said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, appealing to the people to work towards protecting the environment.

    The CM was speaking at a function at the Garrison Ground here on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day. He also greeted people for Basant Panchami, which is being celebrated today.

    “A new excise policy is being drafted to discourage drinking. Work for a nasha mukt (drug-free) society. Plant a sapling on your birthday, marriage anniversary or in memory of your mother or any other occasion. I plant saplings daily,” he said.

    Chouhan announced that the state’s second global skill park will come up in Jabalpur, MP’s first global park in Bhopal. He said a new industrial city will also be set up in Jabalpur for which 332 hectares of land has been identified near National Highway-30.

    ALSO READ | Curiosity and persistence, the mother of science: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Industrial units apart, the facility will also have a logistic hub, commercial and residential plots, hotels and hospitals.

    The chief minister reiterated that the state government is working to make Madhya Pradesh ‘Atmanirbhar’ on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s AatmaNirbhar Bharat vision of making India a self-reliant nation.

    ALSO READ | People, including teachers, fund Smart TV for 1552 government schools in Madhya Pradesh district

    He sought cooperation from all sections of society to make the state Atmanirbhar. Chouhan also urged the citizens to take a pledge for the prosperity and development of Madhya Pradesh.

    JABALPUR: The Madhya Pradesh government is working on a new excise policy aimed at discouraging liquor consumption in the state, said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, appealing to the people to work towards protecting the environment.

    The CM was speaking at a function at the Garrison Ground here on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day. He also greeted people for Basant Panchami, which is being celebrated today.

    “A new excise policy is being drafted to discourage drinking. Work for a nasha mukt (drug-free) society. Plant a sapling on your birthday, marriage anniversary or in memory of your mother or any other occasion. I plant saplings daily,” he said.

    Chouhan announced that the state’s second global skill park will come up in Jabalpur, MP’s first global park in Bhopal. He said a new industrial city will also be set up in Jabalpur for which 332 hectares of land has been identified near National Highway-30.

    ALSO READ | Curiosity and persistence, the mother of science: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Industrial units apart, the facility will also have a logistic hub, commercial and residential plots, hotels and hospitals.

    The chief minister reiterated that the state government is working to make Madhya Pradesh ‘Atmanirbhar’ on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s AatmaNirbhar Bharat vision of making India a self-reliant nation.

    ALSO READ | People, including teachers, fund Smart TV for 1552 government schools in Madhya Pradesh district

    He sought cooperation from all sections of society to make the state Atmanirbhar. Chouhan also urged the citizens to take a pledge for the prosperity and development of Madhya Pradesh.

  • People, including teachers, fund Smart TV for 1552 government schools in Madhya Pradesh district

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: As many as 1552 government schools have now got 1630 Smart TV-equipped Smart Classes in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.

    The smart class initiative, however, isn’t the result of any major institutional funding but has instead been funded by teachers and other people of the district, who’ve donated a record Rs 5.25 crore for the initiative. Out of the Rs 5.25 crore, around Rs 4.25 crore has been donated by the teachers.

    “Teachers of Sehore district have created history by making every class of the district a smart class with public cooperation. They contributed Rs 4.25 crore of their hard-earned money and provided 1630 Smart TVs to 1552 schools in the district. The people’s representatives and the administration of the district also cooperated fully in this. This is a stellar example of cooperation of the society with the government in the development of the state. This unique work will inspire the entire state,” said Shivraj Singh Chouhan while inaugurating the smart classes in the government schools on Saturday.

    “Today I’ve come to congratulate and thank the teachers of the district. I appeal to all teachers to work with this sacred spirit and make every school in the state a centre of better and quality education. Showing respect to the teachers, I announce a 4 percent increase in their dearness allowance,” the CM said while gracing the ‘Har Shala-Smart Shala (Every School a Smart School) in Nasrullaganj town of Sehore district.

    Sehore, importantly, is also the home district of the MP CM. The event also saw Shivraj Singh Chouhan honouring the donor teachers, public representatives and social workers. While interacting in a free-wheeling chat with the students, Chouhan turned into a Yoga Guru, teaching them the importance and intricacies of performing ‘Pranayama.’

    He further said that the state government is starting CM Rise Schools in every 20 to 25 km radius, which will be centres of modern and high-quality education. Buildings with all facilities like modern labs, libraries, smart classes etc. are being constructed for them. The cost of each building is around Rs 35 crore. Students from nearby villages will go to these schools by bus.

    BHOPAL: As many as 1552 government schools have now got 1630 Smart TV-equipped Smart Classes in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.

    The smart class initiative, however, isn’t the result of any major institutional funding but has instead been funded by teachers and other people of the district, who’ve donated a record Rs 5.25 crore for the initiative. Out of the Rs 5.25 crore, around Rs 4.25 crore has been donated by the teachers.

    “Teachers of Sehore district have created history by making every class of the district a smart class with public cooperation. They contributed Rs 4.25 crore of their hard-earned money and provided 1630 Smart TVs to 1552 schools in the district. The people’s representatives and the administration of the district also cooperated fully in this. This is a stellar example of cooperation of the society with the government in the development of the state. This unique work will inspire the entire state,” said Shivraj Singh Chouhan while inaugurating the smart classes in the government schools on Saturday.

    “Today I’ve come to congratulate and thank the teachers of the district. I appeal to all teachers to work with this sacred spirit and make every school in the state a centre of better and quality education. Showing respect to the teachers, I announce a 4 percent increase in their dearness allowance,” the CM said while gracing the ‘Har Shala-Smart Shala (Every School a Smart School) in Nasrullaganj town of Sehore district.

    Sehore, importantly, is also the home district of the MP CM. The event also saw Shivraj Singh Chouhan honouring the donor teachers, public representatives and social workers. While interacting in a free-wheeling chat with the students, Chouhan turned into a Yoga Guru, teaching them the importance and intricacies of performing ‘Pranayama.’

    He further said that the state government is starting CM Rise Schools in every 20 to 25 km radius, which will be centres of modern and high-quality education. Buildings with all facilities like modern labs, libraries, smart classes etc. are being constructed for them. The cost of each building is around Rs 35 crore. Students from nearby villages will go to these schools by bus.