Ajay Vishnoi, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Patan constituency in Madhya Pradesh and a former state minister, has publicly turned on his own party's government, accusing it of allowing roads under both the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to fall into severe disrepair. The rare public dissent from within the ruling ranks came via a post on X on Friday, 21 August, in which Vishnoi attached a newspaper report to underscore the scale of the problem across the state.

What Vishnoi Said

In his post and subsequent media remarks, Vishnoi did not hold back. He stated that citizens frustrated by the condition of roads regularly direct their anger at the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led state government and hold their local legislator accountable — in his words, by “catching his collar.” He said he had written multiple letters to the government flagging the deteriorating road infrastructure, but the situation had not improved.

Vishnoi specifically cited the Shahpura-Patan area, where road and bridge damage has diverted heavy vehicles onto alternative routes that are ill-equipped for such traffic loads, compounding wear and public inconvenience.

Corruption Allegations Against PWD

The legislator made pointed allegations of systemic corruption within the road construction ecosystem. He claimed contractors quote artificially low prices to win tenders, then deduct their own profit margins and alleged bribes paid to department officials — leaving insufficient funds for quality construction. The result, he argued, is infrastructure that deteriorates rapidly after completion.

Vishnoi also raised broader questions about the financial transactions between contractors and the PWD, suggesting the pattern is structural rather than isolated. He welcomed the High Court's recent reprimand of the government and the PWD over road conditions, demanding that responsible officials take immediate corrective action.

A Pattern of Criticism

This is not an isolated outburst. Vishnoi has previously criticised the state government over delays in repairing the damaged Shahpura railway overbridge on NH-45 and the failure to prioritise widening the Jabalpur-Patan road — a project included in the state budget but reportedly stalled. He had held the PWD minister directly responsible for accidents and public hardship arising from these delays.

Notably, criticism of road quality under PMGSY — a centrally-funded scheme — from a BJP MLA adds a layer of political sensitivity, as it implicitly questions both state execution and central oversight.

What Happens Next

With the High Court already on record censuring the government, pressure on the Mohan Yadav administration to respond is building from both the judiciary and within its own legislative ranks. Whether the government tables a concrete remediation plan or attempts to contain the political fallout internally remains to be seen.