Congress to launch a mass agitation

Katni, Mar 01: Madhya Pradesh Congress threatened to launch a mass agitation to protest the 'political vendetta' unleashed by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh on Congress workers. Talking to media persons at Katni, MPCC President and Union Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachouri warned the Chief Minister to restrain himself from acting with a 'political vengeance' on politicians.

“The manner in which cases were registered against Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Jamuna Devi, former minister Harwansh Singh and Satyendra Pathak at the state government's instance deserved strong condemnation,” he said. “Congress is warning the BJP government to check such actions, otherwise every party worker will come out on the street to stage a strong protest and the state government will be responsible for any such situation arising out of it,” Pachouri added.

He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be rated among the most successful Prime Ministers of India. “Political adversaries also had high regard for Singh because of his clean image and strong commitment to take the country forward,” Pachouri told reporters here. “The United Progressive Alliance government's budget for 2008-09 presented yesterday was historical and unique,” he said, adding that welfare-oriented schemes and concessions given to the farmers and the deprived sections reflected the pro common man thinking of Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

“The manner in which farmers, common consumers, employees and other sections have welcomed the budget showed that UPA-led government was moving in right direction,” Pachouri said. Pachouri further said the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre had never discriminated against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government, but provided liberal assistance though there was no positive outcome.

He alleged that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government had practised discrimination with then Congress government in the state. ''Centre was regularly providing funds for Central schemes especially Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and National Rural Health Mission,'' he said, adding common people were agitated over the worsening law and order situation spiralling crime against dalits and tribals, besides power and water crisis. “Instead of levelling baseless allegations, the state government should utilise the funds provided by the Centre to benefit the needy people,” Pachouri added.