Before the gherao of the minister Rajendra Shukla, noisy scenes were witnessed in the Madhya Pradesh assembly after a BJP MLA raised the issue of illegal mining in his constituency, prompting the main opposition Congress to come out in his support.

Much to the embarrassment of the state government, BJP MLA from Mahidpur, Bahadur Singh Chouhan, said illegal mining was going on in his constituency, too.

Congress legislators asked the government to take action against officials, who, RD Prajapati - MLA from Chandla (SC) constituency in Chhatarpur district - alleged, was hand in glove with mining mafias from Uttar Pradesh.

Despite mineral resources minister Rajendra Shukla assuring the MLA that the matter would be investigated and appropriate action would be taken, Prajapati said he would continue to stand on his seat until the government took action against officials.

To back his claim, Prajapati said he would resign from the assembly or an FIR can be lodged against him if his finding was wrong.

BJP MLA RD Prajapati, during Question Hour, alleged that the mining mafia was dominating in Chhattarpur district and claimed that thousands of trucks laden with illegally-mined minerals are leaving the district every day. He said mining mafia also resorts to violence which has claimed two lives. Prajapati demanded suspension of the district mining officer and get a probe done.

Mining minister Rajendra Shukla, assured of getting the matter probed and taking action against the guilty but Prajapati was adamant on his demand of suspension of mining officer. He threatened to resign if action against the mining officer is not taken. Prajapati also asked the Speaker to either to ensure suspension of the officer or suspend him. Prajapati’s demand for suspension was seconded by many ruling party and opposition members.

When Shukla did not announce suspension of the officer, minister of state (MoS) Lalita Yadav and other MLAs gheraoed Shukla in the House. They mounted pressure on Shukla to accept Prajapati’s demand. Assembly speaker, seeing MLAs resorting to gherao of minister adjourned the House for half-an-hour.

There was heated exchange of words between Congress MLAs and BJP ministers, especially parliamentary affairs minister Narottam Mishra and forest minister Gauri Shankar Shejwar. Congress’s Ajay Singh questioned whether the government was really serious on checking illegal mining in the state.

Following ruckus on the issue, speaker Sitasaran Sharma had to adjourn the house for half an hour again.

When the house reassembled, about 30 MLAs from both sides came near minister Shukla and kept talking to him for 10 minutes. Then they walked out of the house.

During the adjournment of house, Prajapati, Shukla and some other MLAs went to the speaker’s chamber. When the house resumed, Prajapati said he was satisfied with the government’s assurance, triggering angry reaction from the Congress MLAs.

They demanded that whatever assurance was promised to Prajapati, it should be shared in the house as the question was raised by the BJP MLA during the question hour.

Acting leader of the Opposition, Bala Bachan said, “It was not a party issue that can be decided outside the house. The matter was raised in the house and everyone here has the right to know what happened and what was conveyed to Prajapati.” Another Congress MLA Ram Niwas Rawat questioned whether the BJP MLA was silenced by the BJP.

Ministers Gopal Bhargava and Gauri Shankar Shejwar made some comments which enraged Congress MLAs. Bhargava said the Congress MLAs were licking the Simhastha plates for the last 10 days.

He said the opposition had been trying to raise the issue of corruption during Simhastha by talking about plates and such stuff, but nothing came out of it.

On this, the Congress MLAs came into the well and demanded apology from Bhargav. Minister Narottam Mishra said, “If you have evidence (about corruption during Simhastha), go to court or go to Lokayukta.”

This is not the first time that Prajapati raised the issue of illegal mining in his constituency. Last month, he wrote to chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and mineral resources minister Shukla. He also threatened that he would go for an indefinite hunger strike, if the state government ignores the issue.

Meanwhile Babulal Gaur, who was dropped from the ministry, continued to attack the government on several issues of public importance causing embarrassment to Treasury Benches. He also attended a conference of “Yadavs” held at Vidisha, a town about 60 Kms from Bhopal.

A number of speakers at the Vidisha meet alleged that Gaur’s removal from the ministry is an insult of the Yadav community, which has been backing BJP in the state.

During his visit to Vidisha Gaur called on Raghavji former finance Minister who was expelled from the Chouhan Ministry over the charge of misconduct. His meeting with Raghav also aroused suspicion in the political circles about Gaur’s future plans.

A day after Gaur’s visit to Vidisha state minister Surya Prakash Meena reached Vidisha and held a press conference to demand disciplinary action against Gaur. It is learned that Meena held the press conference after informing Chief Minister Chouhan. Meena is now all set to get a stricture issued by Vidisha unit of the BJP against Gaur. Meena is considered to be very close to Chouhan.

It is believed that every single step taken or word spoken by Meena is at the behest of the Chief Minister.

There are indications that Gaur may be served a notice to explain his conduct.

BJP state president Nandkumar Singh Chouhan and organisational general secretary Suhas Bhagat have been asked by Chouhan to seek permission from the central command to take against Gaur. Both the leaders called on central ministers in New Delhi on July 27.

MLA Satyapal Singh Sikarwar has also demanded action against Gaur. Sikarwar has said that when Gaur was a minister he did not listen to the workers and now he is vituperating against the party.

Meanwhile, Babulal Gaur also visited Delhi. When asked about the purpose of visit he said that it is not politically motivated. (IPA Service)