CM Mohan Yadav: ‘Madhya Pradesh is first state to finish Naxalism entirely… in forests, villages, cities’

It is very difficult to single out one achievement as the head of the government. But I enjoyed most working on the anti-Naxalite campaign. Madhya Pradesh was freed from the Naxalite movement…was the first to finish it. We not only freed the forests, villages and cities from Naxalites, but finished their movement entirely.

We were the first in the country to start the river-linking campaign, which we completed successfully with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Our industrial growth rate has also gone far beyond what it was earlier. It is a matter of good fortune for us. Medical colleges, PM Excellence Colleges, Sandipani Vidyalayas — we are continuously moving forward in all essential areas. We are doubling the budget in five years. Our budget growth is very good. We have controlled government expenses as well.

* What is the government’s next course of action for Naxal-free areas in MP ?

Three such districts – Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori – have lagged behind due to Naxalism. We will open all avenues of development and bring them to the level of the cities.

* State minister Pratima Bagri’s brother has recently been arrested in a drug trafficking case. Will action be taken against her? 

No. Even when her (Pratima’s) brother was arrested, she supported the government. She said the law will do its job, arrest him even if he is my relative. So what is her fault? Anyone who helps enforce the law, even against their own family, must be applauded.

* Recently, six policemen were suspended for allegedly implicating a class 12 student in a drug case. Is there a problem of abuse of power by the police in MP ?

No, never. These are routine things. If our SP has taken action against someone, that is good. What’s wrong in that? We have taken strict decisions regarding law and order. We jailed a DSP and an Additional SP. We even filed a murder case against a police officer in Bhopal. If there is a mistake, we don’t let it go, whether it is the minister’s brother or anyone else. And if something has been done correctly, we encourage our officers and support them.

* Agriculture is the backbone of the state. Two farmers recently died while standing in queues to obtain fertilisers. Why is this happening?

This is a conspiracy of the Congress. Our crop production is increasing every year. In 55 districts, there is surplus fertiliser. There is no shortage. The amount we have brought has doubled. We have started distributing tokens, and we are providing home-delivery services. But wherever there is a mistake, we take action. Congress wants to highlight such cases. If someone dies by suicide for a different reason, they still link it to farmers. This is the job of the Opposition. I don’t consider it wrong. They do their job; we do ours.

* You seem to be keenly interested in the preparations for Simhastha Kumbh Mela, 2028.

I am interested in  everything. Simhastha is not mine or yours – it is the biggest fair in the world. For Madhya Pradesh, it is a challenge every 12 years. After the incident in Allahabad, everyone was stressed. That is why we want Simhastha to be grand and successful. This is the biggest fair of Sanatan culture. We are making all arrangements so that no problems arise.

* You had to revoke the land pooling scheme for the Simhastha fair area in Ujjain under farmers’ pressure. Did the government initially underestimate farm sentiments?

No, never. We always work with farmers. If there is difficulty or something to understand, we make amendments. What’s the big deal in that? But we will not compromise on security or systems, that is our constant effort.

* Is everything okay between the Sangh and the BJP? The RSS seemed to have given its blessings for the anti-land pooling protest? 

No, everyone is united. They can never even think otherwise.

* In view of violence that erupted on the VIT Bhopal campus over jaundice scare last month, will the government closely monitor the functioning of universities to check such incidents?

We have taken tough action. We called the management and the Education Minister is currently working on this.They are looking into the matter. We are conducting a full investigation and are preparing to prevent such incidents in the future.

* The government is pushing for medical infrastructure. But in the cough syrup case where over 20 children died, victim families had to go to Nagpur for treatment. Why do some districts still lack such infrastructure?

Madhya Pradesh was formed in 1956. Until 2003-04, Congress was in power for most years. There were only five medical colleges. Today we have almost 40. To bring change in healthcare, we must open medical colleges. And we are moving very fast. In the next 2–3 years, we will have 52 medical colleges. Madhya Pradesh will be the only state in the country working so fast.

* The state BJP seems to have started its outreach to bickering party leaders, with new party chief Hemant Khandelwal meeting two such leaders in Sagar. Is factionalism a problem for the party? 

No. Madhya Pradesh is fortunate. From Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Rajmata Scindia, many big leaders came from here. Madhya Pradesh was the first state to start the Vijay Abhiyan. This is our way of working – organisation, government and people working in harmony.