Why Did Sofiya Qureshi's Controversy Keep Vijay Shah Away from the MP Cabinet Meeting?

Bhopal, May 20 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing controversy surrounding his controversial remarks about senior Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah made the decision to absent himself from the cabinet meeting. This choice follows the Supreme Court's directive to establish a Special Investigation Team to look into the issue. In response, the Director General of Police has put together a team of senior IPS officers: Pramod Verma, Inspector General (IGP) of Sagar; Kalyana Chakravarthy, Deputy Inspector General of the Special Armed Forces (SAF); and Vahini Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP) in Dindori.

The historical Rajwada Palace in Indore became a hub of political and cultural significance on Tuesday as the Madhya Pradesh cabinet held a special meeting to celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, a beloved ruler of Indore.

This gathering, held in the Ganesh Hall of Rajwada, aimed to honor her legacy while discussing crucial developmental initiatives for the state.

A significant agenda item was the introduction of the 'MP Metropolitan Planning and Development Act 2025.' Additionally, a budget of Rs 2,200 crore was designated for the construction of Advaita Lok, an Adi Shankar Museum in Omkareshwar.

The state's Vision Document 2047 was also slated for discussion, categorized into eight thematic groups.

The importance of Rajwada as a venue for ministerial discussions traces back to 1945 when Yashwant Rao III presided over the last Council of Ministers meeting at this historic locale.

In a concurrent initiative to protect Indore’s architectural heritage, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav spearheaded the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the restoration of gardens at both Lalbagh Palace and Rajwada Palace. The Indore Municipal Corporation has allocated Rs 20 lakh towards the beautification of these areas.

Rajwada, a structure with a rich legacy spanning over two centuries, has seen the rise and fall of history. It incurred damage during the 1984 riots, prompting extensive restoration efforts years later.

More recently, under the Smart City Project, the palace underwent a significant refurbishment costing Rs 20 crore, restoring its former grandeur.

Ahilyabai Holkar, who hailed from a prestigious Marathi Hindu family, was the daughter of Mankoji and Sushila Shinde from Chandi village, now part of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. Her father, a member of the Dhangar community, provided her with an upbringing rich in tradition and ethics. Her rise to prominence was influenced by her connection with Malhar Rao Holkar, a formidable commander in the army of Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I and the ruler of Malwa. She later established Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh as the seat of the Holkar dynasty, leaving behind a legacy of governance and architectural wonders.