Displeasure among BJP MLAs in Madhya Pradesh seems to be growing, with one MLA’s grievance subsiding only for another to surface shortly after. The latest in this sequence involves Deori BJP MLA Brijbihari Pateriya, who recently submitted his resignation due to frustration with his own government’s lack of response to a local issue. However, after efforts from the party and government, Pateriya withdrew his resignation.
Yet, the incident has sparked broader concerns, with senior BJP leader and former minister Gopal Bhargava expressing strong dissatisfaction with the behavior of government officers, calling it intolerable.
The sequence of protests by BJP MLAs highlights a growing tension within the party, particularly concerning the inaction or misconduct of local officials. Although the government and party organization have been able to manage individual cases, the repeated emergence of such issues points to deeper discontent. How the BJP handles these grievances going forward will be crucial in maintaining unity within the party ranks and ensuring effective governance.
The Incident That Triggered the Dispute
The core of the controversy arose in Medki village, located in Pateriya’s constituency. A government doctor demanded a bribe of Rs 40,000 in order to approve a postmortem report needed to release a compensation amount of Rs 4 lakh for a death caused by a snakebite. The bribe was demanded to confirm the cause of death in PM report, but when the villagers did not comply, the doctor refused to issue the necessary report.
When the villagers reported the matter to MLA Pateriya, he sought action and visited the local police station, demanding that an FIR be filed against the corrupt doctor. However, the police station in-charge (TI) ignored his request. Frustrated by the lack of action from both the medical and law enforcement authorities, Pateriya wrote a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly, expressing his intention to resign.
Resignation and Its Reversal
Following the publicization of Pateriya's resignation letter on social media, the BJP government and party organization quickly intervened to manage the situation. High-level persuasion efforts were initiated to placate the MLA. These efforts bore fruit swiftly, as Pateriya later posted on social media platform X, describing his resignation as a hasty decision made in anger. He also announced his withdrawal of the resignation, stating that both the government and the party were now fully supporting him. In his post, he said he would follow Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s directives and affirmed there was no longer any need for resignation.
Meanwhile, after Pateriya's protest, an FIR was finally lodged against the doctor, and the police officer who had dismissed the MLA’s complaint was transferred. This quick resolution helped to calm the immediate situation.
Gopal Bhargava's Strong Reaction
While MLA Pateriya’s issue was being addressed, BJP stalwart Gopal Bhargava took to social media to express his dismay over the behavior of government officials in this matter. In a strongly worded post, Bhargava condemned the doctor’s demand for a bribe to certify a death and criticized the indifferent attitude of both medical and police personnel in dealing with a matter of public importance.
Bhargava stated that the BJP government, which is dedicated to serving the poor, cannot tolerate a situation where officers ignore the grievances of elected representatives. He affirmed that he had spoken with MLA Pateriya, advising him not to resign, and had taken the matter up with senior police and medical officials. Bhargava assured that he was working to ensure that swift action would be taken against the guilty doctor and the police officer involved.
Bhargava’s statements reflect a growing dissatisfaction among some BJP leaders with the conduct of local administration officials, particularly when they fail to support party MLAs.
A Pattern of Discontent Among BJP MLAs
Pateriya’s case is not an isolated incident. Recently, several BJP MLAs have expressed their frustration with the police and administrative systems. Prior to Pateriya’s resignation, another BJP MLA, Pradeep Patel from Mauganj, had an altercation with an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). In a dramatic display of discontent, Patel reportedly prostrated himself before the ASP, accusing him of being involved in a conspiracy to have him killed. Former BJP minister Ajay Vishnoi later supported Patel’s actions, posting on social media that Patel was justified, remarking that the government itself seemed subservient to the liquor mafia.
Similarly, BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak had also recently expressed concerns for his own safety, claiming that his life was in danger. These incidents indicate a growing trend of unrest among BJP legislators, many of whom feel marginalized by the local administration.