Bhopal- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently emphasized a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. However, troubling allegations have surfaced against the son of former minister Kamal Patel, who acts as the representative of Union Minister of State Durga Das Uike, a member of Modi's cabinet.
It is worth noting that Kamal Patel, a five-time BJP MLA and former Agriculture Minister of Madhya Pradesh, currently serves as the parliamentary representative for Durga Das (D.D.) Uike, the MP from Betul Lok Sabha and Union Minister of State. Patel attends government meetings in the district and issues directives to officials as if he were the MP or minister himself.
His influence is evident from the fact that a seasoned politician like him, with a significant political legacy, has been relegated to a seemingly minor role as a parliamentary representative. This arrangement allows Patel to maintain his dominance in the region by participating in government meetings.
A major land scam has come to light in Harda district involving Sandeep Patel, son of Kamal Patel. Sandeep is accused of irregularities in the allocation of Harda Mandi land and financial misconduct. He allegedly prepared fake notings with the help of the Mandi Committee and sub-leased the land to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
While Prime Minister Modi champions a zero-tolerance stance against corruption, such serious allegations against a representative of a minister from his own party are concerning.
Congress MLA from Harda, Ramkishor Dogne, spoke to The Mooknayak and described the Mandi land scam as just the tip of the iceberg. He accused former minister Kamal Patel of being involved in dozens of scams and claimed that a high-level investigation would uncover more irregularities. The MLA stated that he would raise this issue in the state assembly.
He has demanded a fair investigation into the scam from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The MLA emphasized that the truth behind such cases must come to light in the public interest so that strict action can be taken against the culprits.
Meanwhile, during a press conference at the Madhya Pradesh Congress headquarters on Tuesday, SC Congress State President Pradeep Ahirwar referenced Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Chhatarpur, where he urged the public to report any corruption directly to him. Ahirwar stated that, in line with this, the Congress is writing to the Prime Minister to lodge a complaint about the Harda Mandi scam, which involves allegations of corruption against former minister Kamal Patel and his son.
Ahirwar highlighted that this scam has caused significant injustice to farmers and called for strict action against those responsible. The Congress has demanded that the Prime Minister personally intervene in the matter, ensure a fair investigation, and bring the guilty to justice. He also questioned Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, asking whether action would be taken against the son of former minister Kamal Patel.
There has been ongoing speculation about the political equation between Kamal Patel and Kailash Vijayvargiya, suggesting that Patel has enjoyed Vijayvargiya’s patronage. Vijayvargiya, a senior BJP leader and minister in the state government, is an influential figure in the party, and leaders close to him have often benefited from his support.
Kamal Patel, who hails from Harda district and previously served as Agriculture Minister, has relied on the backing of senior party leaders to maintain his stronghold in the region. His influence is bolstered by internal party dynamics and the support of veteran leaders.
This scandal not only exposes alleged corruption but also highlights the intricate power play within the BJP, raising questions about accountability and governance in Madhya Pradesh.
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