Congress wants Chouhan sacked; Modi to speak up

The Congress on Monday stepped up its attack on Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam scam, saying he should be sacked to allow an impartial probe and that he cannot escape responsibility for the “45 deaths” connected to it. Also attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Opposition said Modi should explain and take moral responsibility for the events. “Shivraj Singh Chouhan should be sacked and an impartial probe should be done in the Vyapam scam,” AICC spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

Former Home Minister P Chidambaram insisted that Madhya Pradesh Government recommend a CBI investigation before the “next unnatural death”, stressing the “buck stops with the executive”.“lessons of #Vyapam : 1) Court monitoring does not guarantee independent investigation. Buck stops with the Executive. MP Government must order CBI investigation before the next unnatural death,” Chidambaram said on  Twitter.

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh alleged that the death of a woman trainee sub-inspector, recruited by Vyapam in a lake at Sagar in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, was linked to the scam. Singh, also a former Chief Minister of the State, demanded that senior BJP leader from the State Kailash Vijayvargiya tender an apology for his uncharitable remarks against journalists. “The remarks are condemnable. They smack of his arrogance. He should apologise,” Singh said.

Observing that the probe by the STF reported to the State Government, Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia demanded an investigation by CBI or SC monitored team into the 45 deaths. “What STF does, they inform HC, they say so. PM should break his silence. The party and the PM who said, ‘Na kahunga aur na khaane dunga’ (won’t take bribe, wont’ let anyone take too) should respond as to why there is such a gap between action and factsIJ We want PM to take action in this regard,” Scindia said.