Cong slams MP CM over drought

Bhopal, Apr 24 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Jamuna Devi has accused Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of playing politics over a drought-relief package and foodgrain allotment.

In a letter to Mr Chouhan, the Congress leader said, ''From time to time -- over the past 50 years -- I have observed state governments effectively tackling natural calamities but the present Chief Minister is levelling allegations against others and staging a political street play using fasting and agitation.'' Copies of the missive were released to the press today.

Mr Chouhan has threatened to lead the state's people in observing a fast on April 30 to protest the Centre's alleged discrimination towards the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state in sanctioning drought relief and allocation of foodgrain in both Above Poverty Line and Below Poverty Line categories.

Ms Devi alleged that, right from the start, the regime's intention was not to help the drought-affected but to play politics over the natural calamity.

''If that was not the case then all-party committees would have been formed at state and district-level and the opposition taken into confidence for work to help those affected. The government is yet to discuss the subject with public representatives,'' she wrote.

UNI Team-AC AKJ HS1832