Madhya Pradesh: Delay in portfolio allocation 'historic', says Chouhan

Bhopal, Dec 28: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tried to highlight the factionism within the Congress party in the state and said the delay in porfolio allocations was 'historic'.

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Chouhan alleged that the delay in the allocation of portfolios to the ministers is a "matter of concern". Talking to reporters at his residence, Chouhan said, "I extended my wishes to the new government, but it is a matter of concern the way formation of cabinet was delayed and now portfolio distribution is being delayed."

Newly elected MP chief minister Kamal Nath

"We are seeing media reports and various Congress leaders are insisting for particular departments causing delay in the allocation. Quota of different camps (of Congress) was fixed. This delay is historic and never happened in the state," he claimed.

Senior Congress leader and former MP CM Digvijay Singh

Chouhan said, "It is the chief minister's prerogative to allocate portfolios, but Digvijay ji - veteran Congress leader Digvijay Singh - was replying on such issues claiming this work would be done today."

He said, "Senior Congress MLAs like Bisahulal Singh, KP Singh and others, who don't belong to any group in Congress, failed to get berth."

In a reply to a question, he said the Congress should implement farm loan waiver in accordance to their promise.

"There should be no condition in loan waiver. The farm loan up to Rs 2 lakh, as on November this year end, should be waived," he said.

BJP lost assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh after being in power for 15 years

Asked about the Congress' manifesto promise about 'banning' the RSS Shakhas in government premises, Chouhan said, "Nehru ji (Jawaharlal Nehru) and Indira ji (Indira Gandhi) had also banned, but they had to withdraw. The RSS is the biggest organisation of patriots and honest people."

OneIndia News with PTI inputs