Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Monday, 11 May accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of pushing the state towards "jungle raj" through rising crime, rampant corruption, and alleged political interference in the administration. Addressing a press conference in Satna, Patwari charged that law and order had deteriorated sharply under the ruling party's watch.

NCRB Data and Crime Statistics

Citing a recent report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Patwari claimed that nearly 32 per cent of all crimes registered across the country were reported from Madhya Pradesh. He further alleged that the state continued to rank high in crimes against women, children, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and senior citizens — a charge that, if borne out by NCRB data, would represent a serious indictment of the state's policing and governance framework.

Alleged Political Interference in Administration

Patwari alleged that BJP ministers, MLAs, their relatives, and party workers had been given a "free hand" to pressure government officials and engage in unlawful activities. He specifically referred to a recent controversy involving BJP MLA Pritam Lodhi, alleging that the legislator had threatened officials and used abusive language.

"When leaders of the ruling party themselves try to intimidate officers, law and order cannot be maintained," Patwari said. He drew a pointed comparison, claiming that Madhya Pradesh was now witnessing conditions once associated with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. "Criminals are fearless, and the government is acting as a mute spectator," he added, asserting that ordinary citizens were increasingly feeling insecure.

Corruption Allegations Against the BJP Government

The Congress leader also targeted the state government over what he described as institutionalised bribery in government offices. "If you toss a coin of corruption, one side will show BJP and the other corruption," Patwari remarked. He went a step further, challenging officials in the Satna and Rewa divisions to identify any office where public work was being carried out without corruption, promising that the Congress would publicly honour such an office.

Congress's Position and What Comes Next

Patwari clarified that the Congress respected democratic values and accepted the people's electoral mandate, but maintained that exposing government failures remained the opposition's core responsibility. He said the party would continue to raise concerns over rising crime, women's safety, corruption, and administrative shortcomings across the state. This comes amid a broader pattern of the Congress using data-backed press conferences to build a narrative ahead of local body elections in Madhya Pradesh. The BJP had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.