• Shiv Bhattia

Introduction:

The state of Madhya Pradesh, known for its vibrant culture and rich heritage, has gained political notoriety for the shenanigans carried out by the BJP in 2020. The toppling of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in 2020, and the subsequent formation of Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government has created fissures in the democratic foundations of the state polity. Further, the current BJP government not only has failed to deliver good governance, but also plumbed to new depths of venality and malfeasance. In the assembly elections due later this year, the BJP government is going to face unprecedented levels of anti-incumbency and anger from the electorate.

Background:

In March 2020, the Kamal Nath-led Congress government was toppled in a political coup orchestrated by the BJP. The defection of 22 Congress MLAs to the BJP led to the collapse of the government, culminating in Shivraj Singh Chouhan assuming the Chief Minister’s office for the fourth time. The undemocratic and duplicitous means adopted by the BJP to come to power in Madhya Pradesh caused a furore within the citizenry.

The disenchantment with the current dispensation is an upshot of the following:

The Anti-Incumbency Factor:

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the current CM of the state, has been at the helm for almost 16 years. The unparalleled anti-incumbency that his government faces not only because of the fatigue with the CM, but the inability to deliver in areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and agriculture. As a barometer of development, the infant mortality rate acts as a good measure to take stock of a government’s efforts to promote welfare. Madhya Pradesh at 47 deaths per 1000 births fares worse than the Indian average of 34.

Mismanagement during the Pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the disillusionment with the BJP government. The monumental mismanagement of the pandemic by the Madhya Pradesh government created significant challenges in managing the healthcare crisis, leading to shortages of medical supplies, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and mismanagement of vaccination drives. As James Allen once said, ‘adversity does not build character, it reveals it.’, the BJP government was found wanting in this test of character, failing to mount a spirited response to once a century pandemic, causing deaths of tens of thousands.

Flailing state economy:

The state’s economy has been sputtering for a while. Despite being rich in natural resources and having a favourable geographic location, Madhya Pradesh has struggled to attract significant investments. The lack of industrial growth and job opportunities has contributed to frustration among the youth and working-class population. Unemployment rates and a stagnant rural economy have further fuelled the anti-incumbency sentiment. The sports and youth welfare minister, Yashodhara Raje Scindia in a written reply conceded that only 21 out of 39 lakh unemployed youth were given jobs in government and semi-government offices.

Opposition Consolidation:

The opposition parties, under the leadership of Congress, have been quick to seize the opportunity presented by the anti-incumbency wave. They have actively mobilized public sentiment against the BJP, highlighting the government’s failures and promising an alternative vision for the state. The Congress has been working to consolidate its support base and forge alliances with smaller parties to mount a formidable challenge in the upcoming elections.

Spate of Scams:

Madhya Pradesh, under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has become the hotspot for scams and scammers- the number of scams is at least over 100.

Vyapam Scam:

The Vyapam scam emerged during Chief Minister Chouhan’s tenure. The scam involved irregularities in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), also as Vyapam, which conducts entrance exams for professional courses and government jobs. The scam involved the manipulation of exam results, the bribery of officials, and the involvement of middlemen and politicians. The Vyapam scam exposed the deep-rooted corruption within the state’s education and employment systems, leading to widespread protests and investigations.

Mining Scam:

Another major scam highlighting the blatant abuse of state power by the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh was the mining scam.

The scam involved illegal mining activities, particularly in the state’s mineral-rich regions. It was alleged that influential politicians and government officials were involved in granting illegal mining leases, allowing the extraction of minerals without proper permissions, and evading royalty payments. The mining scam not only caused significant revenue losses to the state exchequer but also led to environmental degradation and displacement of local communities.

E-tendering Scam:

The e-tendering method of bidding out government contracts was supposed to be a panacea for graft and corruption. Alas, the scammers with the blessings of the ruling BJP government found a way to defraud the system. It is alleged that officials and politicians colluded with private contractors to manipulate the bidding process, leading to inflated costs, substandard work, and loss of public funds.

The scams that transpired under Shivraj Singh Chouhan led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh have severely dented the reputation of the state administration. The Vyapam scam, mining scam, and e-tendering scam exposed the deep-rooted corruption, lack of transparency, and misuse of power within the system. These scams underscore the importance of strong anti-corruption measures, effective oversight mechanisms, and the need for political will to tackle corruption and ensure good governance.

The Way Forward:

Abraham Lincoln once said, “you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” The Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government fate seems to be encapsulated in this above-mentioned Lincoln quote. The anti-incumbency, kleptocratic actions, foundering state economy, and mass youth unemployment have created an atmosphere in the state that would likely result in a historical comeuppance for the BJP government. There is not anyone left to fool anymore. The Congress Party, revitalized and reinvigorated, is leading the charge against the BJP. With elaborate plans to address failings of the BJP government in critical areas– healthcare, education, and employment - the Congress Party goes to polls with a concrete roadmap.

The author is an AICC Secretary In-charge Madhya Pradesh.