Rajendra Shukla slams Rahul Gandhi over Balaghat visit
MP Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla accuses Rahul Gandhi of seeking political mileage through his visit to Balaghat following recent child deaths.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, accusing him of seeking political mileage rather than showing genuine concern for the people of Balaghat.
The controversy stems from Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to parts of Balaghat, where several children reportedly lost their lives in recent weeks. Shukla questioned the timing of the visit, suggesting it was a calculated move to gain visibility rather than a response to the tragedy.
"Lack of Sensitivity," says Deputy CM
Addressing the media in Bhopal, the Deputy CM expressed strong disapproval of the opposition leader's approach. He noted that the delay between the incidents and the proposed visit indicated a lack of empathy for the grieving families.
"How many days after the incident is Rahul Gandhi coming to Balaghat? When opposition leaders plan their programmes in this manner, it shows that they lack sensitivity and are going among the people merely to gain political mileage and mark their presence," Shukla stated.
Shukla further argued that had the Congress leader visited immediately when the deaths occurred, it might have demonstrated genuine concern. Instead, he claimed the visit is being used to stir political unrest after the government had already begun stabilizing the situation.
Naxalism and Healthcare Challenges
Reflecting on the history of the Balaghat district, Shukla highlighted its past as a Naxal-affected region. He alleged that insurgent activities had flourished under previous Congress administrations, making it nearly impossible to provide essential services to remote populations.
The Deputy CM credited the current BJP government for transforming the area. "Rahul Gandhi should thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav that we have ended this decades-old problem and made Balaghat a Naxal-free area," he said.
Regarding the recent deaths of approximately 25-30 children, Shukla explained that the difficulty in reaching remote areas was a direct consequence of past Naxal influence. He assured that the government is now working to ensure 100 per cent coverage for essential services, including:
- Vaccination drives
- Distribution of ORS and zinc medicines
- Deployment of Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs)
- Increased number of ASHA workers
Strengthening Rural Medical Infrastructure
To prevent future tragedies and address the long-standing shortage of medical professionals in remote blocks, the state government has taken significant steps to bolster primary healthcare. Shukla revealed that the administration has deployed over 3,100 bonded doctors to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state, with more than 2,600 already having joined their posts.
He emphasized that the situation in the affected villages is now being closely monitored through virtual conferences led by the Chief Minister. Shukla concluded by accusing the Congress of spreading confusion and repeating falsehoods to mislead the public on various national and state issues.