Did BJP's 20-Year Rule Fail to Develop Madhya Pradesh? Jitu Patwari Speaks on 70th Foundation Day
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Madhya Pradesh celebrated its 70th Foundation Day.
- Jitu Patwari raised issues of increasing debt and unemployment.
- BJP's 20-year rule has been criticized for lack of development.
- New loans have escalated the state's debt burden.
- High rates of crimes against tribal and Dalit communities were highlighted.
Bhopal, Nov 1 (NationPress) As Madhya Pradesh commemorated its 70th Foundation Day on Saturday, State Congress President Jitu Patwari highlighted pressing issues such as escalating debt, unemployment, and increasing crimes against farmers and individuals from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Despite losing the 2023 assembly election in Indore's Rau constituency, Patwari was appointed as the State Congress Chief following the party's defeat under the previous Chief Minister Kamal Nath. He accused the BJP government of 20 years of failure to fully develop the state.
“As Madhya Pradesh marks its 70th Foundation Day, we must reflect on two critical questions: where we currently stand and where we should have been in 70 years,” he stated, adding that 70 percent of the youth in the state are employed.
The Congress leader reiterated claims regarding the increasing debt burden, alleging that the BJP's two decades in power have pushed Madhya Pradesh's total debt to Rs 4.64 lakh crore, with farmers reportedly taking their own lives due to financial pressures.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the BJP government has recently taken on a new loan of Rs 5,200 crore, marking the 20th loan since assuming power, further exacerbating the state's debt situation.
The last loan, amounting to Rs 3,000 crore, was secured just before Dussehra on October 1. Official sources disclosed that the upcoming loan will be distributed in two phases: Rs 2,700 crore initially and Rs 2,500 crore subsequently.
These funds are reportedly earmarked for expenses related to the state's Foundation Day celebrations, installments for the Ladli Behna Yojana, and other welfare and community development initiatives.
On this occasion, the State Congress Chief also criticized the BJP-led government for the increasing atrocities against tribal communities, noting that Madhya Pradesh has the highest population of tribals in the country. The latest data from the NCRB indicates that the state reported the highest number of cases of atrocities against tribals and Dalits nationwide, with 2,858 cases registered in 2023 compared to 2,979 in 2022.