UPA Govt has no respect for federal structure, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today accused the UPA Government of not respecting the federal structure and discriminating against the BJP-ruled State in providing relief to the farmers affected by recent unseasonal rain and hailstorm.

He said the the Congress-led Government at the Centre has no regard for the country's federal structure. It is discriminating against the hailstorm-hit farmers of the State on the issue of financial assistance due to political reasons.

Chouhan was speaking at a function of BJP workers here where party President Rajnath Singh was also present. "The UPA Government fears that if it provides relief to the Madhya Pradesh farmers, the BJP may benefit in the coming Lok Sabha elections," the Chief Minister said. The State Government has earmarked Rs 2,000 crore for providing relief to the farmers and if more fund is needed, that too will be arranged, he said.

How long the people of Madhya Pradesh will suffer this discrimination at the hands of the Centre? he sought to know and asked the voters to decimate the Congress in the elections to end this trend. 

Referring to the condition of Congress, he said the party is in such a pathetic position that its Lok Sabha candidate from Bhind, Bhagirath Prasad, has refused to contest, Chouhan claimed. Prasad, who was given poll ticket by Congress from Bhind, joined BJP yesterday.