By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Jeetu Patwari on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the state government, alleging that the State was no longer battling a drug network but a “BJP relatives’ network”. He claimed that, instead of criminal syndicates, it was now the family members of ruling party leaders who were repeatedly being caught in serious offences.
Questioning the silence of the BJP Government, Patwari asked whether this was the new face of the BJP’s brand of family politics. “When drug-peddling links emerge from a minister’s residence and the Home Minister chooses silence, where does accountability lie? Has the double-engine government become a transport model for narcotics?” he remarked.
Referring to recent cases, he said that individuals close to senior BJP leader Vishvas Sarang had earlier been detained in an MD drug case. More recently, the brother and brother-in-law of BJP minister Pratima Bagri were arrested for allegedly selling a large consignment of cannabis. “What message does this send? That the government itself is intoxicated?” he asked, adding that Madhya Pradesh was the only State targeting liquor revenues of Rs 17,000 crore while overtaking Punjab in illegal narcotics activity.
Patwari demanded the immediate resignation of Minister Bagri and criticised the Chief Minister, who handles the Home portfolio, for what he termed a collapse of law and order. He urged to transfer the responsibility to a more capable individual if he was unwilling to act decisively.
He also condemned the ongoing Khajuraho Cabinet meeting, stating that despite the deaths of four staff members due to food poisoning, no minister or official had met the bereaved families. “Whether people live or die, the government remains busy organising events on borrowed money,” he said.
The Congress reiterated that it would continue to stand with the people of Madhya Pradesh and expose the government’s failures.
