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The Madhya Pradesh Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of widespread corruption during its two-decade-long tenure in the state. State Congress president Jitu Patwari leveled serious allegations, citing the recent discovery of 52 kilograms of gold and ₹11 crore in cash found in an abandoned car in Bhopal as evidence of a larger conspiracy involving high-ranking officials and politicians. Patwari contends that this significant seizure is just the tip of the iceberg, suggesting that much larger sums of money and assets have been amassed through illicit means. He specifically highlighted the case of an RTO constable who allegedly accumulated substantial wealth, using this as a microcosm to illustrate the pervasive nature of corruption within the state government's administration. The sheer scale of the alleged corruption, as detailed by Patwari, paints a grim picture of systematic embezzlement, potentially reaching into the tens of thousands of crores of rupees. This accusation isn't merely about isolated incidents but points to a deeply entrenched system of corruption that has flourished under the BJP's governance.
Patwari's claims are particularly damning, directly implicating the BJP government in facilitating and benefiting from this alleged widespread corruption. He accused the BJP of running the state with borrowed funds, leading to a significant debt burden on each citizen, and selling off state-owned properties to cover the financial shortfall. The contrast drawn between the opulence suggested by the discovery of vast amounts of gold and cash, and the struggles faced by farmers, is intended to highlight the stark inequality and injustice inherent in the alleged corruption scheme. Furthermore, Patwari's accusations extend beyond the gold seizure, linking it to other alleged instances of corruption within the state’s Road Transport Office (RTO). He claims that the RTO department has been systematically collecting illegal fees, amounting to ₹35 crore monthly for the past 15 years, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹15,000 crore to the state’s exchequer. The seriousness of these allegations cannot be overstated; they directly challenge the integrity of the BJP government and demand a thorough investigation.
The Congress party's response has been decisive. Patwari announced that the party will file a petition in the High Court demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged corruption, specifically requesting a CBI or judicial inquiry into the activities of the transport department. This is not simply a political manoeuvre but a significant escalation of the conflict between the two major parties in the state. The demand for a CBI inquiry is strategically crucial; it bypasses the state government's potential influence and seeks an independent, external agency to conduct the investigation. This underscores the Congress party's determination to expose the alleged wrongdoing and hold those responsible accountable. The implications of this case extend far beyond the immediate political landscape; it touches upon broader concerns about governance, transparency, and the rule of law in India. The success or failure of the Congress's efforts will likely have significant ramifications for the upcoming elections and will deeply impact public trust in the political system.
The allegations raised by the Congress party are serious and demand a comprehensive and impartial investigation. The discovery of the large amount of gold and cash in an abandoned car raises serious questions about the involvement of powerful individuals and the possible laundering of illegal money. The alleged systematic corruption within the RTO department, if proven true, would represent a massive breach of public trust and a significant financial loss to the state. The political ramifications are also considerable, with the Congress party clearly aiming to exploit these allegations to gain a political advantage in upcoming elections. The BJP will need to respond effectively to these accusations to mitigate the potential damage to its reputation. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining how these serious allegations are investigated and resolved, and the ultimate outcome will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the political dynamics in Madhya Pradesh.
Source: Cong to move HC, seek CBI probe in BJP ‘corrupt’ regime