BJP ally Sharad points to Bellary-like scam in MP

Sharad Yadav, President of the Janata Dal-United (JDU), an ally of the BJP, on Sunday alleged that large-scale illegal mining was taking place in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh.

“In the mineral-rich region of Satna, Jabalpur, Katni, Rewa and Singaruali districts, a Bellary-like mining

scam is taking place as no environmental clearances were taken for carrying out mining there,” Yadav told media persons here.

Yadav, who is also the convener of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), urged the state to take action against those indulging in illegal mining, send them to jail and confiscate their properties by framing a law in this regard.

He also demanded that the Centre should either roll back the decision on foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail or face an adjournment motion in Parliament.

Yadav also alleged the Union cabinet's decision of allowing 51% FDI in multi-brand retail was a ploy to divert people’s attention from issues like the 2G spectrum scam, the Commonwealth Games scam and price rise that were listed for discussion during the winter session.

“'The decision came despite an earlier assurance from the Centre that any conclusion will be arrived at after discussion,” he said. “The Congress government intends to render crores of people jobless.”

Taking a dig at the Centre for its insistence on FDI in retail despite “lacking majority” in the Lok Sabha over the issue, Yadav said the Centre described Parliament as supreme during social activist Anna Hazare's movement but is now asserting that executive is supreme.