Former chief minister and leader of opposition in Madhya Pradesh assembly, Kamal Nath, on Monday launched an attack on the state government over the customary address of Governor Anandiben Patel on the first day of the budget session.
Nath, while speaking to the media outside the house, said he felt pity for the governor as she had to read out a speech meant just for the media and not for the state (people). “You should count the number of proposals (for schemes and projects for people’s welfare) that were mentioned in the speech. In the past 15 years, they have proposed 15,000 schemes, but there is nothing on the ground,” the former chief minister said.
He said the points in the address of the governor were meant to mislead the people. “Actual issues like crimes against women, conditions of farmers and unemployed youth, nothing was mentioned about that,” Nath said. He added that help and support provided to migrant labourers was mentioned, but everyone in the state saw the pathetic conditions in which the hungry and thirsty migrants returned on foot in the state. The government has no focus on the agriculture sector, which is the future of the state, he added.
Nath said the prime minister was so often mentioned in the governor’s address that he felt as if he was attending a Lok Sabha session. Also the BJP, that made fun of COVID-19 pandemic when he (Nath) talked about it, was listing out achievements regarding its control, he said.
The leader of opposition reiterated that the Congress respected the parliamentary traditions and therefore it decided to allow the unanimous election of the speaker.
Gautam elected speaker
Earlier in the day, four-time BJP MLA from Deotalab in Rewa district, Girish Gautam, was elected speaker of the MP assembly unanimously. His election was followed by the customary address of the governor, after which the house was adjourned for the day.
Nath attacks govt on rapes, fuel price hike
The former chief minister also attacked the government on the continuing incidents of crimes against women and fuel price hike. Taking to the Twitter, Nath mentioned the gang rape of a young woman in Shahdol district where a BJP office bearer was one of the accused. “How can the sisters and daughters be safe in such a situation? The government has totally failed in safeguarding women,” Nath said.
In another tweet, Nath said if the governments of Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya could reduce taxes on petrol and diesel to provide relief to the people, why can’t the Modi government in Centre and Shivraj government in MP do the same? “How long will the people be looted to fill up the coffers of the BJP governments,” Nath asked.
