MP BJP leader's 200-vehicle convoy sparks outrage after Modi's fuel appeal
Synopsis
A 200-vehicle convoy for a routine state appointment became a political flashpoint just two days after PM Modi's fuel conservation appeal. With the Madhya Pradesh Congress posting video evidence on X and CM Yadav's same-day pledge to lead by example, the BJP faces a credibility gap it has yet to address.
Key Takeaways
Saubhagya Singh Thakur , newly-appointed Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation Chairman, travelled from Ujjain to Bhopal on 12 May with a convoy of nearly 200 vehicles .
The convoy caused traffic snarls at Board Office Square , DB Mall , Arera Hills , and near the BJP state office in Bhopal .
The procession came just two days after PM Modi publicly appealed for reduced fuel consumption amid a global fuel crisis.
CM Mohan Yadav had on the same day urged Madhya Pradesh residents to use public transport or EVs and promised the government would lead by example.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress posted a video of the convoy on X , calling it a direct contradiction of the PM's appeal.
The BJP had not issued any response to the criticism as of the time of reporting.
A convoy of nearly 200 vehicles escorting newly-appointed Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation Chairman Saubhagya Singh Thakur from Ujjain to Bhopal on Monday, 12 May triggered widespread traffic congestion and sharp political criticism — coming just two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had publicly appealed to citizens to reduce fuel consumption in the national interest. The procession drew fire from the Indian National Congress (INC) and social media users, who questioned the optics of a 200-vehicle display at a time when both the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh state government are urging austerity.
The Convoy and Its Disruptions
Saubhagya Singh Thakur, who also serves as the provincial president of Vidya Bharati's Malwa region, led the massive procession from Ujjain to the state capital to formally take charge of the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation after his recent appointment as Chairman. Upon arriving in Bhopal, he visited the Madhya Pradesh BJP office, met state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal and other organisational leaders, and paid floral tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and Syama Prasad Mookerjee at statues on the office premises.
The convoy caused traffic jams at multiple points along the Ujjain-Bhopal highway. Within Bhopal, severe snarls were reported near the BJP state office, Board Office Square, DB Mall, and Arera Hills during peak hours. Buses, ambulances, and private vehicles were stuck for extended periods. Eyewitnesses noted that amid soaring temperatures, children and elderly passengers were particularly affected by the disruption.
The Political Backdrop: Modi's Fuel Conservation Appeal
The incident drew heightened scrutiny because it occurred just two days after Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel use and avoid unnecessary travel, citing the prevailing global fuel crisis. On the same Monday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had reinforced the appeal, asking residents to use public transport or electric vehicles and assuring that the state government would lead by example.
Point of View
Not better. The BJP's silence so far is telling; any response risks either defending the indefensible or publicly rebuking a freshly appointed party chairman.
NationPress
13 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saubhagya Singh Thakur and why was the convoy organised?
Saubhagya Singh Thakur is the newly-appointed Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation and the provincial president of Vidya Bharati's Malwa region. The convoy of nearly 200 vehicles accompanied him from Ujjain to Bhopal on 12 May as he formally took charge of his new office.
Why is the convoy controversial?
The convoy caused significant traffic congestion across the Ujjain-Bhopal highway and within Bhopal, affecting commuters, ambulances, and daily travellers. It drew particular criticism because it occurred just two days after PM Modi publicly appealed for fuel conservation and reduced travel in the national interest.
What did the Madhya Pradesh Congress say about the convoy?
The Madhya Pradesh Congress posted a video of the convoy on X, stating that while PM Modi urges citizens to cut petrol and diesel use, leaders from his own party openly disregard that appeal. The party argued this shows that sacrifice is expected only from the public, not those in power.
What is the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation?
The Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation, established in 1968, is a state-run body that publishes and distributes textbooks for Class 1 to 12 students. It runs the free textbook distribution scheme in government schools and manages the printing of around 40,000 tonnes of paper annually from a central warehouse in Bhopal.
Has the BJP responded to the criticism?
As of the time of reporting, the BJP had not issued any statement addressing the criticism over the convoy or the traffic disruptions it caused along the Ujjain-Bhopal route.
