Corruption to be Cong's chief issue in MP polls

Bhopal, Jun 4 (UNI) Congress general secretary V Narayanasamy today said corruption would be the main issue in the Madhya Pradesh assembly hustings.

''Eleven ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime are cornered by corruption-linked allegations and Lokayukta probes are pending against eight of them,'' he told reporters here after a meeting of the party's state office-bearers, district and town unit presidents.

Pointing out that state Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi resigned after corruption was exposed in his department, Mr Narayanasamy alleged that all this proved corruption had reached its nadir in this state.

''My party has been exposing Health Department scams from time to time. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan should also accept responsibility and put in his papers,'' said Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Suresh Pachouri, who was among those present.

Referring to the controversial dumpers purchase case, Mr Narayanasamy said that Mr Chouhan did not quit despite a first information report being registered by the Lokayukta. He also charged the state regime of not properly utilising central funds.

''The poor are not receiving foodgrain and widespread blackmarketing of wheat is taking place. No action is being taken against the guilty as the latter enjoy government protection,'' Mr Narayanasamy added.

The meeting passed two resolutions. The first condemned ''massive corruption'' by the Chief Minister, local BJP workers and others and called for a statewide anti-corruption struggle.

The second slammed an anti-reservation statement by state Cooperatives Minister Gopal Bhargav, in Mr Chouhan's presence, and demanded Mr Bhargav's dismissal.

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