The public condemnation by Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of the demolition of 12 homes of the Barela tribe in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district has sparked speculation of simmering differences between chief minister Mohan Yadav and his illustrious predecessor, known popularly as Mama (uncle).
“It is very unfortunate that the criticism, which was limited to the meeting room, has now become public. The state government later transferred the divisional forest officer and ordered that no such action will be taken during the monsoon. How would I know that becoming chief minister would hit me so hard? “Madhya Pradesh’s Ladli Behna is an important scheme. The CM has continued this scheme, and every government will have to keep it going.
But it was started due to the overturning of many decisions of ex-CM Chouhan. Because women have recognized their own strength, every government will now have to continue such schemes. On Sunday, the forest department and district administration carried out the demolition drive in Kosmi village in Budhni assembly constituency – Chouhan’s seat for 20 years when he was the CM. The public face-off has alarmed many in the Bharatiya Janata Party, known for its iron internal discipline and prompted leaders to suggest that differences were set off by the current government, which took power in 2023, overturning key decisions of the previous administration. State agriculture minister Aidal Singh Kansana wrote to the Centre and said the Centre had approved only 25% procurement and asked for it to be increased to 40%. On October 4, Yadav appeared to raise question on the Ladli Behna scheme – widely seen as Chouhan’s legacy – and said, “”You don’t know, Ladli Behna has turned out to be very expensive.
Yadav criticised bulldozer action which was considered as the biggest move by Chouhan,” said a senior party leader. “I am reiterating and cautioning the forest department and forest development corporation staff – don’t commit this mistake again,” he said. But we said there will be no trouble for our sisters. Everyone knows that if women get angry, it will lead to trouble,” he said.
