Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh (C), BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia (R) during the Sewa-Samvad virtual rally at BJP State headquarters, in Bhopal, Friday, July 3, 2020. (PTI Photo)
Two days after Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan expanded his Cabinet by inducting a dozen former Congress MLAs, senior BJP leader and former minister Ajay Vishnoi on Saturday requested Chouhan to become in-charge minister of Jabalpur and Rewa districts to stem the public discontent over the ministry expansion.
Supporters of at least half-a-dozen BJP legislators have registered their protests over exclusion of their leaders.
Mahakaushal and Vindhya regions, of which Jabalpur and Rewa are the headquarters, have got the short shrift, with a lion’s share of ministerial berths having gone to Gwalior-Chambal and Malwa belts, he indicated.
“I can understand your compulsions but not the common people, who are unhappy with the ministry. Please come and take charge of Jabalpur and Rewa to make them feel better. (Congress leader) Digvijaya Singh was in charge of Jabalpur district when he was the CM. I am sure you will accept the request,” Vishnoi, MLA from Patan constituency in Jabalpur district, wrote.
Asked to comment, Vishnoi said people in both divisions are unhappy and he only gave vent to their feelings.
Vishnoi’s letter came a day after he shared a cryptic message on social media that he was going to do something big.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, whose rebellion toppled the previous Kamal Nath government, has succeeded in inducting many of his loyalists. The ruling BJP’s attempt to induct former ministers and newcomers left many a BJP aspirants in the cold.
Meanwhile, Chouhan is yet to allocate portfolios to his ministers. He is likely to meet senior leaders and Scindia in Delhi before allocating the portfolios.