MP spurious liquor deaths: BJP hits back at Congress over letter to Amit Shah
Synopsis
After Congress chief Jitu Patwari escalated Madhya Pradesh's suspected spurious liquor deaths to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president Hemant Khandelwal accused the Opposition of playing politics over tragedies. The state government responded by transferring the superintendents of police and district collectors of both Dewas and Sagar — a swift administrative move that signals accountability but also confirms the political heat was real.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh BJP president Hemant Khandelwal on 27 October 2026 accused the Congress of politicising deaths linked to suspected spurious liquor incidents in Dewas and Sagar districts.
State Congress chief Jitu Patwari wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking central intervention in the matter.
Khandelwal reaffirmed the state government's zero-tolerance policy against the illegal drug trade and pledged exemplary punishment for those found guilty.
The Centre, under PM Narendra Modi , is running a national campaign targeting elimination of the illegal drug trade by 31 December 2029 , according to Khandelwal.
The Madhya Pradesh government transferred superintendents of police and district collectors of both Dewas and Sagar amid growing official scrutiny.
Madhya Pradesh BJP president Hemant Khandelwal on Tuesday, 27 October accused the Congress of politicising deaths linked to suspected spurious liquor incidents in the state, hitting back at state Congress chief Jitu Patwari after Patwari wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking central intervention. The exchange has sharpened the political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition over reported deaths in Dewas and Sagar districts.
The Political Flashpoint
Patwari's letter to Shah brought the issue to the Centre, placing the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh under additional political scrutiny over the reported deaths and the enforcement of laws against illicit liquor. The Congress has sought federal-level intervention, while the BJP has challenged the Opposition to offer concrete suggestions rather than level allegations.
Khandelwal said in a statement: 'Congress and Jitu Patwari are doing politics even over people's deaths. Death is tragic, whatever the cause. The state government is following a zero-tolerance policy against the illegal drug trade, and whoever is found guilty in the investigation will face action that will set an example.'
Government's Response and Zero-Tolerance Stance
Khandelwal assured that an impartial investigation was under way and that strict action would be taken against all those found responsible. He also invoked the Centre's broader anti-narcotics agenda, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah, a national campaign was in progress to make India drug-free — with a stated target of eliminating the illegal drug trade by 31 December 2029.
According to Khandelwal, the campaign encompasses dismantling illegal networks, intelligence-based enforcement, inter-state coordination, and measures to prevent substance abuse among young people. 'The resolve to make India drug-free is not merely a slogan but a national campaign linked to the future of young people and the safety of society. The public wants a system in which criminals are punished, illegal trade is stopped, and no family has to face such a tragedy,' he said.
Key Administrative Action: SPs and Collectors Transferred
The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday transferred the superintendents of police and district collectors of both Dewas and Sagar — the two districts where the suspected spurious liquor incidents were reported. The administrative reshuffle came amid growing scrutiny over the accountability of officials responsible for preventing the sale of illicit liquor.
The transfers are widely seen as a swift response to the political pressure generated by the Opposition's escalation, and signal that the state government is moving to demonstrate accountability at the district level.
What Comes Next
With the Congress having placed the matter before the Union Home Ministry and the BJP defending its enforcement record, the episode is set to remain a flashpoint in Madhya Pradesh's political discourse. The outcome of the ongoing investigation — and whether any prosecutions follow — will determine how the issue plays out ahead of upcoming political cycles in the state.
Point of View
While signalling intent, do not by themselves answer the underlying question: how did illicit liquor reach consumers in two districts simultaneously? The BJP's counter-offensive framing — casting the Congress as opportunists exploiting grief — is a standard deflection that risks obscuring the enforcement failures that allowed the situation to arise. With Patwari's letter pulling in the Union Home Ministry, the episode also tests whether the Centre's much-publicised drug-free India campaign has operational teeth at the district level, or remains a headline target for 2029.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the suspected spurious liquor deaths in Madhya Pradesh about?
Suspected spurious liquor deaths have been reported in Dewas and Sagar districts of Madhya Pradesh , triggering a political row between the ruling BJP and the Congress. The exact number of deaths has not been officially confirmed in available reports, and investigations are ongoing.
Why did Congress chief Jitu Patwari write to Union Home Minister Amit Shah?
State Congress chief Jitu Patwari wrote to Amit Shah to seek central intervention over the reported deaths linked to suspected spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress argued that the state BJP government had failed in its enforcement responsibilities and that the matter warranted federal scrutiny.
What action has the Madhya Pradesh government taken so far?
The state government on 27 October transferred the superintendents of police and district collectors of both Dewas and Sagar districts. BJP president Hemant Khandelwal also stated that an impartial investigation is under way and that those found guilty will face exemplary punishment.
What is the BJP's position on the Congress letter to Amit Shah?
The BJP, through president Hemant Khandelwal , has accused the Congress of 'doing politics over people's deaths.' The party maintains the state follows a zero-tolerance policy against the illegal drug trade and has challenged the Congress to offer constructive suggestions rather than levy political allegations.
What is India's drug-free campaign target mentioned by the BJP?
According to Khandelwal , the Centre under PM Narendra Modi is running a national campaign to eliminate the illegal drug trade by 31 December 2029 . The campaign involves dismantling illegal networks, intelligence-based action, inter-state coordination, and prevention of substance abuse among youth.
