Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari on Thursday, 20 August launched a sharp offensive against the BJP-led state government, accusing it of failing on rising prices, farmers' welfare, and the deteriorating education system. Addressing a press conference in Bhopal, Patwari announced a series of public campaigns to pressure the government into action.

The Education Ultimatum

Patwari gave the state government eight days to announce concrete steps on improving the education system. If the deadline passes without a response, he said, Congress workers would launch a 'Dastak' campaign — visiting schools across Madhya Pradesh through newly-formed Panchayat Congress Committees to document on-ground conditions.

The committees would assess teacher availability, condition of school buildings, basic facilities, and students' concerns. Findings would be shared on social media and formally flagged to the Chief Minister, the Education Minister, and the Chief Secretary.

Patwari also demanded that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav release a White Paper on the state of schools and higher education institutions in Madhya Pradesh. 'Education is an issue above politics. The government should engage with the Opposition and all sections of society, present the actual condition of the state's education system and prepare a concrete action plan for improvement,' he said.

Should the government continue to remain unresponsive, Patwari warned that the Congress would organise cyclothons across all divisions of the state to build public awareness around education reform.

Inflation and Farmers Under Pressure

Patwari also trained his fire on both the Centre and the state government over rising prices of essential commodities. He cited specific increases: soybean oil up approximately 12%, groundnut oil up 10%, and mustard oil up nearly 20%. Prices of sugar, milk, and pulses have also risen, he alleged.

'The farmer is selling his produce at a low price, while the consumer is buying the same product at a high price. This contradiction raises serious questions over the government's agricultural and market management policies,' Patwari said.

He further alleged that farmers were not receiving remunerative prices for their produce and claimed that promised bonuses had not been fulfilled by the government.

Liquor Trade and Corruption Allegations

Patwari questioned the government's claims of prohibition in religious cities, alleging that illegal liquor trade and home delivery of alcohol continued unabated across the state. He announced a separate campaign targeting alleged corruption, illegal liquor trade, and the circulation of spurious alcohol.

Congress Working Committee Issues to Be Taken to the Public

The Congress leader said his party would carry to the people the issues deliberated at the Congress Working Committee meeting, including inflation, essential commodity prices, delimitation, and alleged Chinese encroachment.

Patwari also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, recalling his contributions to Panchayati Raj, voting rights for 18-year-olds, and the growth of India's information technology and telecommunications sectors.

'The Congress will continue to fight as the voice of the people on issues of inflation, unemployment, education, farmers, corruption and law and order,' he said. With campaigns now formally announced, the coming weeks will test whether the Opposition's ground push translates into measurable political pressure on the Yadav government.