Missing for 43 days, MLA claims drug traffickers after him:Pradeep Patel says, ‘Survived 6 attacks, staying in Bhopal to avoid conflict’

Last month on January 3rd, BJP MLA Pradeep Patel from Mauganj, who went to resolve a land dispute between two parties in Mauganj, was missing from the next day. In a dispute over 30 decimal land between the Pandey and Mishra families, some people attempted to burn the MLA by pouring diesel on him. When information was received about the MLA being in Bhopal, Dainik Bhaskar spoke with him at his sister’s house located in BHEL. Read excerpts from the conversation with MLA Pradeep Patel Bhaskar: Where were you all these days? Pradeep Patel: I was here in Bhopal. Patients from our area come to a hospital here, where we do our service work. We arrange for their food, water, accommodation, and transportation. My mother, who is over 90 years old, lives here. All the work and applications that come to our staff, all that continues to run regularly. Bhaskar: It was being said that you were under threat from some Musa gang? Pradeep Patel: An incident occurred on January 3rd. In which some people attempted to burn me by pouring diesel. Everyone had seen those videos too. The next morning after the incident, a large crowd gathered at our residence. Some provocative talks started happening. So I felt that there shouldn’t be any confrontation. That’s why I had cancelled my programs. I had definitely injured my eye so I came to Rewa and then went to Bhopal. I have been in Bhopal since then. The gang you are talking about. Let me tell you that I reported this incident to the police station. After that when we came here, I received a phone call in Rewa in the evening and was threatened that they would end my MLA position, they would see to it. After that I turned off my mobile and came to Bhopal. Bhaskar: In a video you were telling your son not to go out of the house, why was there that state of fear? Pradeep Patel: Because, including small and big incidents, this is the sixth attack on me. There were several incidents of stone pelting, people got injured. People came outside the house to kill. I felt that we had come to Bhopal, but the people who are giving threats might go to the house and create a message that there was a dispute. I thought if our people or family members go out, there could be a confrontation. As a precaution, I had said don’t say anything to anyone, stay at home, there’s no need to go outside. Bhaskar: Did you inform your party or the Chief Minister about these matters? Pradeep Patel: Yes, as soon as the incident happened, I spoke to the Assembly Speaker and the Chief Minister. I submitted an application to them. They took action on it. After that, when the calls started coming, I felt that if I go to the area, there could be a confrontation. I thought that if we maintain some distance from the area, the anger within our people would subside. This was the only option, because confrontation was not a good thing. We explained to everyone that the assembly session is coming up and whatever work needs to be done will be done. That’s why I came here. Bhaskar: Why are you feeling so insecure in your own government? Pradeep Patel: Why are the perpetrators doing this? Why is this happening to us? I can tell you that since becoming an MLA, I have put in all my effort and fought hard against the illegal drug trade that exists there. At the administrative level, in speeches and in the field, I spoke extensively about it. There were many arrests and crackdowns because of this. The first incident that happened in front of my house was because drug materials were seized. In retaliation, they were angry and came to attack me. There were several spots in our area where buses would get looted. Bhaskar: Do local people not raise their voice because of drugs? Pradeep Patel: We have a Brahmin village called Jamoi. There, 20-22 people including youth and children died due to Corex addiction. Some had liver failure, some had accidents. Their parents were crying. Because of this, I felt I needed to control this. Following our government and Chief Minister’s directions, many operations were conducted and people were put in jail. That’s why people are doing all this in frustration. Bhaskar: Who is promoting the drug trade in your area? Pradeep Patel: There is a Congress leader here who had said from the stage that he helps small-time dealers of corex and ganja. He can see the unemployment of those drug dealers. But he cannot see that thousands of people are dying because of those drugs. Bhaskar: Who said this? Pradeep Patel: A former Congress MLA from our area. He had said this in a program during his time. All such people were against us. People threaten on social media. They are confronting us because they are facing losses due to our actions. I am still working even after being attacked so many times. Bhaskar: When are you going to Mauganj now? Pradeep Patel: I will go after the assembly session. Bhaskar: Is there no atmosphere of fear now? Pradeep Patel: My message to the people of the region was not to clash with those people. This was the only option I had to prevent that conflict. Otherwise we have votes, we have such a big party with workers, they feel anger but it’s our job to control our workers. If we also start clashing like them, then what difference would remain between them and us? Bhaskar: It was also being said on social media that you had your eyes on that land? Pradeep Patel: No, I had no intention. Vinod Mishra ji called me. He is 70 years old. He has no sons, and his land was being forcibly occupied. He complained and got a stay order. The Patwari and Tehsildar told me about this. After getting the stay order, they occupied his land and drilled a bore well. Now where should he go, he has no children to fight for him. They do this in many places. They thought if they tell the MLA, they will be silenced. I am working for the public. The police did not take timely action there. I had informed the DIG that I was going there. I went thinking that we would make both parties sit and understand. But they are people with criminal mindset. Initially, I sat there for two hours and even attended an online meeting from there. Suddenly after two-three hours, it seems people came with planning, hurling abuses and said bring diesel, they will finish me. Then some villagers saved me. Finally, the SDOP also reached there and told me to leave from there. Bhaskar: Will you raise this issue in the Assembly as well? Pradeep Patel: What’s there to raise in the Assembly, we will keep fighting. People like them have already made six attempts before, but there is someone above to protect us. Our government is engaged in destroying the Corex and drug trade. Bhaskar: Is there a drug trade behind this? Pradeep Patel: These are complete drug mafias. They won’t respect stay orders, won’t follow laws. People like these have problems with us. Bhaskar: Has there been any discussion about increasing security? Pradeep Patel: Now if they receive feedback regarding security, they will act on it, but since it’s a sensitive area near the border where clashes are happening, they will consider this matter.