Why Are Congress MLAs Demanding Vijay Shah’s Resignation?

Bhopal, Aug 1 (NationPress) The fifth day of the Monsoon Session in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly was characterized by significant disruptions and political confrontations.

Proceedings were temporarily adjourned for ten minutes as Congress legislators insisted on the resignation of Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah. His recent comments regarding Army officer Colonel Sofia Qureshi have incited considerable outrage and judicial scrutiny.

Upon Minister Shah's arrival in the House, Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya vocally demanded his resignation, claiming he had insulted the armed forces.

This demand faced immediate pushback from Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and other ruling party members, leading to a heated debate.

The situation escalated quickly, with Congress MLAs chanting slogans, prompting the Speaker to temporarily suspend the session in an attempt to restore order.

Outside the chamber, Opposition members maintained their protest, reiterating their call for Shah’s dismissal.

The controversy surrounding Minister Shah originates from his alleged comments referring to Colonel Qureshi as the “sister of terrorists” during a public event in Indore.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has already mandated an FIR against him, and the Supreme Court has criticized him for not issuing a genuine public apology.

A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the matter, and a quo warranto petition seeking his removal is currently pending before the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, the Assembly witnessed protests related to an alleged shortage of fertiliser in the state.

Before the session began, Congress MLAs held a symbolic demonstration, carrying sacks of urea and bottles of nano fertiliser to spotlight what they termed a serious crisis.

The Opposition accused the government of pushing farmers to use nano urea instead of traditional fertilisers, leading to decreased soil fertility and crop damage.

Agriculture Minister Edal Singh Kanshana dismissed these claims, asserting that the state had ample fertiliser supplies and that distribution was being handled effectively.

Civil Supplies Minister Govind Singh Rajput supported this view, accusing the Congress of fabricating issues for political gain.

Despite these assurances, Congress leaders, including Arif Masood and Tarana MLA Mahendra Singh Sisodia, maintained that farmers across the state were struggling to obtain fertilisers and that the government was neglecting their concerns.

Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar announced plans to address the issue of irregularities in the 108 ambulance service, alleging that Jai Ambe Emergency Services was failing to provide timely assistance to patients, pregnant women, and accident victims.

The day's agenda included a variety of topics being raised through call attention motions from both sides.

BJP MLA Bhupendra Singh intended to discuss illegal encroachments on government land in Malthone, while Congress MLA Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat aimed to challenge the appointment of an allegedly unqualified individual as Registrar of Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University.

Other issues slated for discussion included compensation delays for land acquisition in Itarsi, crop damage due to weedicide use in Khachrod, elephant migration in Anuppur, and drinking water shortages under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Congress MLA Jhuma Solanki was expected to raise concerns about irregularities in teacher transfers in Khargone district, while Hemant Katare aimed to highlight procedural violations in tender amendments and social audits within the Public Health Engineering Department.

Environmental and sports issues were also on the agenda, with Umakant Sharma discussing illegal teak wood cutting in Vidisha and Pratap Grewal addressing the lack of facilities for football players in Sardarpur.

Nitendra Singh Rathore planned to comment on unauthorized MNREGA work in Prithvipur without approval from the District Collector.