Land dealings ahead of Simhastha 2028? CM Mohan Yadav under fire over 168-acre land purchase amidst Ujjain Master Plan... Congress seeks answers
Amidst preparations for Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain—the city of Mahakal—a controversy regarding land purchases has heated up the political landscape of Madhya Pradesh.
Citing a report by The Indian Express, the Congress party has raised serious questions about large-scale land acquisitions made by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and his family members in Ujjain. The Congress alleges that the Chief Minister's family purchased vast tracts of land in areas slated for future development projects, including roads, highways, and other infrastructure.
According to The Indian Express report, since assuming office in December 2023, Dr. Mohan Yadav's family and associated real estate companies have purchased approximately 137 plots, totaling around 168 acres of land. It is claimed that about Rs 45 crore was spent on these acquisitions. Reports indicate that most of the land is located in areas likely to benefit the most from the Ujjain Master Plan 2035 and development projects linked to the Simhastha event.
Cong demands clarification
Terming this a serious matter concerning ethics and transparency, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has demanded a public clarification from the Chief Minister. The Congress asserts that if no irregularities occurred, the government should conduct an impartial inquiry and place all facts before the public. They have questioned whether these land investments were made based on prior knowledge of the proposed projects in these areas.
The report also notes that Dr. Mohan Yadav's family already held significant landholdings in Ujjain and surrounding areas prior to him becoming Chief Minister. However, it is claimed that the pace of land acquisition accelerated after he assumed the office.
So far, there has been no detailed official response from Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav or the state government regarding this matter. Consequently, the issue has sparked intense debate in political circles; the opposition views it as a potential conflict of interest and a matter of ethical accountability, while the ruling party's response is awaited. This matter could become a major issue in Madhya Pradesh politics in the coming days.