MP Deputy CM's OSD faces bribery allegations over liquor shop contracts in Bhopal
Synopsis
Congress has put Madhya Pradesh's BJP government on notice, demanding answers over bribery allegations linking Deputy CM Jagdish Devda's OSD to ₹1 crore in payments for liquor shop contracts in Bhopal — part of a purported statement tied to a ₹930-crore fraud case. With neither the OSD nor Devda responding, and a Congress press conference already scheduled, the political pressure is escalating fast.
Key Takeaways
Congress on 9 October 2026 demanded a response from Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav over bribery allegations against Deputy CM Jagdish Devda's OSD .
The purported statement alleges the OSD facilitated two liquor shop contracts in Bhopal's TT Nagar for 2024-25 in exchange for payments totalling ₹1 crore . ₹50 lakh was allegedly paid in cash; the remainder was transferred to a hotel owner's bank account.
The allegations are linked to an accused in an alleged ₹930-crore fraud case ; claims have not been independently verified.
Senior Congress leader Vivek Tankha and former minister Mukesh Nayak threatened a large-scale agitation if concrete action is not taken.
Neither the OSD nor Deputy CM Devda has issued a public response to the allegations.
The Congress party on 9 October 2026 demanded a formal response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav over bribery allegations against the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, linked to the allotment of liquor shop contracts in Bhopal. The allegations, surfacing in a purported statement circulating on social media, have not been independently verified.
What the Allegations Allege
According to the purported statement, the OSD allegedly facilitated the award of two liquor shop contracts in Bhopal's TT Nagar area for 2024-25 in exchange for payments reportedly totalling ₹1 crore. The statement claims ₹50 lakh was paid in cash, while the remaining amount was transferred to a hotel owner's bank account. Additional allegations in the document concern the use of fake fixed deposit receipts as bank guarantees and the sale of liquor without a valid licence.
The purported statement is described as linked to an accused in an alleged ₹930-crore fraud case, in which the OSD is named in connection with payments for these contracts. Neither the OSD nor Deputy Chief Minister Devda has publicly responded to the allegations.
Congress Leaders Raise the Heat
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha raised the issue formally, calling the investigative agencies' statements regarding Deputy Chief Minister Devda 'extremely serious.' 'The BJP and the CM must — and will have to — take a clear stand on this matter. The MP government is under scrutiny over these allegations,' Tankha said.
Former Madhya Pradesh minister and Congress leader Mukesh Nayak questioned why no concrete accountability had been enforced on spurious liquor cases in the state. 'Why hasn't concrete action been taken or accountability ensured regarding the spurious liquor cases in Madhya Pradesh so far? Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the public demands an answer — how long must we wait for action in such serious matters?' Nayak said.
Nayak warned that Congress would launch a 'large-scale agitation' if the state government failed to take effective steps, adding: 'This is a matter concerning people's lives, not merely a political formality.'
Demands from the Opposition
The Congress has called on the Madhya Pradesh government to order an impartial investigation, impose strict penalties on those found culpable, and ensure accountability for officials responsible for any administrative lapses. The party was scheduled to address a press conference later on 9 October to escalate its campaign on the issue.
Context and What Comes Next
This comes amid broader questions about liquor policy enforcement in Madhya Pradesh, with spurious liquor incidents having drawn repeated criticism in recent years. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav since late 2023, faces mounting pressure to respond to an opposition offensive that is likely to intensify ahead of the next legislative session. Whether the state government orders an independent inquiry or dismisses the allegations as politically motivated will determine the political trajectory of the row.
Point of View
For now, unverified claims in a purported statement — a distinction that matters legally and journalistically. Yet the political timing is sharp: Congress is using the hook of a ₹930-crore fraud case to force the BJP government into a public posture on liquor policy, an issue where the Madhya Pradesh administration has historically struggled to demonstrate enforcement credibility. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's silence so far is itself a political choice, and one that Congress will exploit. The broader story here is structural — Madhya Pradesh's liquor licensing ecosystem has faced allegations of opacity for years, and no government has produced a clean audit of contractor eligibility. Until that changes, episodes like this will recur.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the bribery allegations against Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM Jagdish Devda's OSD?
A purported statement, reportedly linked to an accused in an alleged ₹930-crore fraud case, alleges that the OSD of Deputy CM Jagdish Devda facilitated two liquor shop contracts in Bhopal's TT Nagar area for 2024-25 in exchange for payments totalling ₹1 crore. The claims have not been independently verified, and neither the OSD nor Devda has publicly responded.
Why is Congress demanding a response from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav?
Congress argues that the allegations are serious enough to require a clear government stance, especially given the link to a large fraud case. Senior leader Vivek Tankha stated that the BJP and the CM 'must — and will have to — take a clear stand,' warning that the MP government is under public scrutiny.
What exactly does the purported statement allege about payments?
The statement alleges that ₹50 lakh was paid in cash and the remaining amount was transferred to a hotel owner's bank account, in return for the award of two liquor shop contracts. It also reportedly mentions the use of fake fixed deposit receipts as bank guarantees and unlicensed liquor sales.
Has the Madhya Pradesh government responded to the allegations?
As of 9 October 2026, neither Deputy CM Jagdish Devda nor his OSD has issued a public statement on the allegations. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has also not formally addressed the Congress demands.
What action has Congress threatened if the government does not respond?
Former Madhya Pradesh minister Mukesh Nayak warned that Congress would launch a large-scale agitation if the government fails to take effective steps, including an impartial investigation and strict action against those found guilty.
