Bhopal: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, by describing the Scindias as ‘friends of the British’, at a function here on Wednesday, has once again raked up the controversy over the nationalist credentials of the former ruling family of Gwalior. His similar comment during campaigning for the Ater assembly bye-elections had kicked up a storm.
Interestingly, now the BJP is also asserting that the Scindias were indeed traitors of the nation. State BJP chief Nandkumar Singh Chouhan said the history of the Scindia family couldn’t be changed. “They were with the British before Independence. They are with the BJP since Independence. Some members of the family are with the Congress. This is the truth,” he said. Sources say minister of sports Yashodhar Raje Scindia is angered by the CM’s statement. Earlier also, Yashodhara had expressed her strong displeasure on this issue, after which the CM was forced to come out with an explanation about Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia.
Leader of opposition Ajay Singh has also sniped at the chief minister. He said it was Rajmata who was one of the key architects of Janasangh – the predecessor of the BJP. “Had Rajmata been alive, Chouhan would not have dared to make such a comment,” he said.
Well-planned attack on Jyotiraditya
CM Shivraj Singh, using lines from a poem by Subhadhra Kumari Chouhan to deride the Scindias, was not an off-hand remark. It was a premeditated attack on Jyotiraditya Scindia. There is a strong possibility of the Congress projecting Scindia as chief ministerial face in assembly polls in the state. And that is why; Chouhan has started looking for issues to attack him. This barb and the earlier issue of Scindia allegedly grabbing land in Shivpuri are part of a strategy.
Modi’s advice ignored
At a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary party, PM Narendra Modi had advised his partymen to refrain from launching personal attacks on the members of the Gaekwad ruling family of Baroda, Scindia of Gwalior and other ex-royals. He had asked his partymen to also consider the work done by these families for public welfare.