Before the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, a new challenge has emerged before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The challenge is also difficult because it has not been presented by the opposition but by its own strong leader and former CM Uma Bharti. Uma Bharti, who kept raising questions on the liquor policy, has now sat on a dharna in a temple. In view of Uma’s attitude, the Shivraj government had to postpone the cabinet meeting and announcement of excise policy. The cabinet meeting of the government was proposed on Tuesday, in which the announcement of the new excise policy for 2023-24 was possible.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called a meeting of administrative officers on Tuesday. The government has said that for this reason the cabinet meeting will not be held on Tuesday. The cabinet meeting is currently proposed on 2 and 6 February. However, sources say that it can be postponed even further. In fact, on Saturday, Uma Bharti reached the Panchmukhi Hanuman temple in Ayodhya city and announced that she would remain sitting here for three days till the government announces the excise policy.
Uma said, ‘The government will announce the new liquor policy on January 31 and till then I will stay here with God.’ Uma Bharti chose this temple for her protest because there is another liquor shop in front of it. Talking to reporters, Uma Bharti said, ‘The one which has to be destroyed is in front (liquor shop) and the one from which power has to be taken is behind (the temple). I have come here because I am upset. It is a temple of Lord Hanuman and Goddess Durgi, but there is a liquor shop and bar just 50 meters in front of it.
Uma Bharti said that on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), the state government had launched a de-addiction campaign, in which she had participated. During Navratri, the Chief Minister had said that he would take their opinion on the liquor policy. The former Union minister said, “The government had said that it was aware of the problems of women and would try to make alternative arrangements for the bars.”
Welcoming the postponement of the announcement of the liquor policy, Uma Bharti tweeted, ‘In my meeting with Shivraj ji on January 21, Shivraj ji himself told me that he will announce the new liquor policy on January 31 because this is the rule. Today is 31st January, now hardly there is a cabinet and liquor policy is announced, if this date is extended keeping in mind the public interest, safety of women, future of the youth, then it is very welcome. But I will remain worried till the policy is not in front because alcohol is becoming the main reason for fear, insecurity, diseases in Madhya Pradesh. I am waiting for a good news.
Earlier, Uma Bharti said on Monday that her three-day stay at the Ayodhya bypass should not be called a dharna. He had said that there is no reason for mistrust and apprehension. He further said, ‘My principled request for change in liquor policy in Madhya Pradesh cannot benefit me personally other than self-satisfaction. Apart from the post of National President, I have held all the important posts in the BJP organization. She was cabinet minister for 6 years in Atal ji’s government and 5 years in Modi’s government. 6 times MP and 2 times MLA. In both the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the BJP conducted elections under my leadership and won them.
He further wrote, ‘I myself became the Chief Minister in Madhya Pradesh and left it for the Tricolor myself. I myself am very worried and alert that our party and our government should not suffer even the slightest loss due to my stay. Me, Shivraj ji and VD Sharma ji agree on what I have said about liquor. So there is no conflict at all. Let the new liquor policy come, everything will be clear.
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