Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's criticism to leader of the Opposition Satyadev Katare's words in the Assembly provoked a walkout by the principal Opposition Congress on the concluding day of a three-day session that witnessed passage of a vote on accounts for 2014-15 and the Third Supplementary Budget.
“All members endeavoured to comprehend the plight of farmers whose crops were affected by excessive precipitation, hail and frost. However, Katare's address was an assault on my office. He was trying to establish himself as a leader by denigrating my post,” Chouhan said in the course of an approximately 40-minute reply to a discussion on the natural calamity that affected almost the entire State. ‘Mission Kisan' (peasant) is the foremost priority and even victory in the general elections is not in the crosshairs as of now, the Chief Minister claimed, adding that he was saddened by Katare's allegation that Chouhan's visit to the affected areas amounted to ‘ola paryatan’ (hailstone tourism).“I will go to any extent to ensure that the ryots' trust is not shattered. My ministers and officials shall visit each and every farm in the 13,000 villages concerned. The Government will make certain that the Crop Insurance Scheme is implemented in letter and spirit,” the Chief Minister reiterated.