Gwalior: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s remarks against the Scindia family of Gwalior have snowballed into a major controversy, inviting criticism from not just opposition Congress, but also from the ruling BJP and his own Cabinet.
Chouhan kicked up a row recently when he said the Scindias had “oppressed” the public in Bhind in connivance with the British before Independence.
Criticising the remark, his Cabinet colleague Yashodhara, daughter of the late Vijaya Raje Scindia, said: “Our mother sold ornaments to arrange vehicles for the BJP during elections and even auctioned jewellery in the palace to arrange party funds.”
An agitated Yashodhara also skipped a government function in Gwalior on Sunday and cancelled her election campaign in Ater, Bhind.
“Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia had inspired several leaders to join the BJP. They are still in the party. How can we forget her contribution,” said former minister Sartaj Singh.
Congress leaders Lahar (Bhind) MLA Goind Singh and KK Mishra, too, took on Chouhan.
In damage control mode later, Chouhan said he respected the late Vijaya Raje Scindia, who is credited with laying the foundation of the BJP in the state. “She was a mother to lakhs of party workers like me,” he said.
BJP state president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan said Chouhan was just referring to history and that all partymen have the utmost respect for the late Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia.
Interestingly, Scindia family scion Jyotiraditya Scindia represents Congress while his aunts Yashodhara Raje and Vasundhara Raje represent the BJP in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, respectively.
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