Congress leaders, farmers stop Shivraj’s convoy in Sehore:Minister says ‘I represent everyone’; BJP MLA leaves event amid protest in Neemuch

Congress leaders and farmers stopped the convoy of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Sehore on Sunday. They told him, “Even though we belong to the Congress party, you are our representative as well.” In response, Shivraj said, “If I am a representative of the people, then I represent everyone. I am your representative too.” The Congress leaders then informed Shivraj that farmers had been facing difficulties for the past 15 days in obtaining fertilisers and accessing other agriculture-related services. They said farmers were being forced to stand in queues for hours because the digital portal’s server was down. The leaders also submitted a memorandum highlighting farmers’ issues to the Union Minister. Shivraj assured them that corrective measures would be taken soon. Shivraj was on his way to attend a Jan Kalyan Camp at Azad Maidan in Ichhawar when Congress leaders stopped his convoy en route. Meanwhile, in Neemuch, Jawad MLA Omprakash Sakhlecha had to leave a public programme midway following strong protests from local residents. The incident also saw heated arguments and pushing and shoving involving security personnel. See, two pictures… Some officers enjoy stopping people’s work After meeting the Congress leaders, Shivraj reached Azad Chowk and participated in the Jan Kalyan Camp. Addressing the gathering, he said, “Some officials seem to enjoy delaying public work. I want to tell them to maintain a positive mindset. They should work with a constructive approach and not undermine the government’s intentions.” He also issued a stern warning to officials, saying, “I have received complaints that even eligible beneficiaries are being removed from welfare schemes on one pretext or another. This will no longer be tolerated. Every application will be examined properly, and no poor person will be deprived of their rightful benefits.” Protest against BJP MLA Sakhlaecha in Neemuch Meanwhile, BJP MLA and former minister Omprakash Sakhlecha, who represents the Jawad constituency, faced strong opposition from villagers. Public anger in Bangred village of Neemuch forced the MLA to leave a programme midway. Sakhlecha was the chief guest at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a Community Health Centre in the village. As soon as he began addressing the gathering, villagers raised objections. Residents directly questioned him, asking, “The hospital is being built, but how will patients reach it? Will they have to struggle through mud and unpaved roads to get treatment?” When satisfactory answers were not provided, the atmosphere became tense. Angry villagers surrounded the stage and began raising slogans demanding that the MLA leave. When security personnel tried to control the crowd, they were also pushed and jostled. The situation became so heated that the MLA and his convoy were forced to return to their vehicles and leave the venue. FIR Against Former MLA Over Alleged Pressure to Kill Shivraj In a separate development, police have registered an FIR against former MLA Shashank Bhargava following allegations made by a farmer before his death. Farmer Govind Gurjar of Behlot village in Vidisha recorded a video before his death in which he made serious allegations against Bhargava, including claims that he was being pressured to kill Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MLA Mukesh Tandon. Police have registered a case under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and have launched an investigation into the matter.