MP Cong to stage statewide agitation from May 12

Bhopal, May 8 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Congress today decided to stage statewide sit-ins and demonstrations at block and district levels from May 12 to May 20 against alleged corruption in the state government and to make people aware about it.

''In this regard, the party would stage a demonstration in the state capital on May 13 and submit a memorandum to Governor Balram Jakhar,'' state Congress President Suresh Pachouri told a press conference here.

He said the recent verdict of the Jabalpur High Court in the much-debated dumpers' purchase case proved that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan misused his post to oblige someone.

Mr Pachouri said the party demanded resignation of the Chief Minister and removal of the Minerals Minister with immediate effect in the wake of the verdict.

He alleged that the government had sent huge electricity bills to farmers and registered cases against them. So far, cases had been registered against 36,832 farmers.

Meanwhile, the government had admitted that it had sold power worth Rs 172 crore to other states.

Mr Pachouri said the state had slipped from 13th spot to 15th place in terms of development and from 8th spot to 15th place in terms of industrial investment.

He claimed that the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government at the Centre had always provided less funds to the then Congress Government in the state. However, the present UPA Government at the Centre had increased the amount for the state.

Replying to a question, he said Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's visit to remote tribal places should not be linked with politics. He said tribals in these areas had started believing that Nehru-Gandhi family was its real well-wisher following these trips.

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