Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav's 'Aukaat' Comment Sparks Political Controversy: Congress Demands Apology

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister's controversial statement has ignited political tensions.

Bhopal:

A significant political controversy has emerged in Madhya Pradesh following Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's contentious comments at the state-level sarpanch conference held at Jamburi Maidan in Bhopal. The remarks have elicited strong opposition from the Congress party, with State Congress president Jitu Patwari calling for an immediate public apology from the Chief Minister for what he described as demeaning government employees and undermining the principles of Gram Swaraj.

While addressing thousands of sarpanches and panchayat representatives, the Chief Minister delivered an impassioned speech highlighting the government's dedication to enhancing the Panchayati Raj system. However, one particular statement generated considerable backlash: "Koi sachiv agar kaam nahi karega to saale ko hata denge, Inki kya aukaat" (If a secretary doesn't work, we'll remove him. What is their worth?)

The Chief Minister further emphasized that sarpanches are the true implementers of government initiatives at the grassroots level, and strengthening panchayats remains a top priority for his administration. "When we sit in front of a sarpanch, the secretary and employment assistant must also be present. The power you (sarpanches) have is not even available to those in higher positions. What a sarpanch can do, no one else can."

During the event, Yadav announced that panchayats would be authorized to undertake development projects worth up to Rs 25 lakh, with each panchayat representative receiving Rs 50,000 for local development initiatives.

He also approved the construction of 2,472 Atal Panchayat Bhavans, 1,037 community buildings, 106 Janpad Panchayat offices, and 5 Zila Panchayat buildings throughout the state.

Yadav referred to the sarpanches as "the backbone of rural development," asserting that Madhya Pradesh's village transformation rests in their hands.

In a strong response, State Congress President Jitu Patwari accused the Chief Minister of "abusing government officials" and compromising the fundamental principles of gram swaraj. "I thank the Chief Minister and Minister Prahlad Patel for attending the sarpanch conference, but today the Chief Minister abused the secretaries and employment assistants, killing the very idea of gram Swaraj," Patwari stated.

Patwari further alleged corruption within the rural development framework, claiming the ministry operates on a '50 per cent commission' model. "The Chief Minister should be ashamed of abusing secretaries and employment assistants instead of protecting the rights of sarpanchs. He has abused me five times publicly, this shows his mindset," Patwari added, encouraging secretaries and employment assistants to protest against these remarks.

This controversy emerges as the government actively promotes rural governance reforms and development programs in anticipation of the upcoming panchayat election season. While BJP leaders dismissed the Congress criticism as "political theatrics," the opposition views the incident as evidence of arrogance and disregard for administrative structures.