Cong targets Chouhan over Jhabua blast

Alleging that deadly blast in Jhabua occurred as a local BJP leader was allowed to store explosives in a busy area against the rules, Congress today came down heavily on Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for "complete abuse and misuse of power".
Asking the Chief Minister what action he has taken against the culprits, it alleged that Madhya Pradesh under his rule is turning into a "multi-killings and multi-deaths state" and cited the Vyapam scam.
"We have no words strong enough to express our anger, frustration and deep sadness over around 100 deaths in Jhabua. This has very serious ramifications.

"How did it happen? The district head of BJP's Vyapar Mandal (traders' body) is running an explosive factory in the heart of the busy town. Would he be allowed to do so by the local authorities if he had not been a BJP leader?," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.
He added after "ignoring" deaths in Vyapam scam, this killing of around 100 persons has happened under Chouhan's rule and asked him to stop alleged "political patronage" in such cases.
The state police have booked Rajendra Kasawa and a manhunt to arrest him is on for storing a huge pile of explosives for mining work in a building which triggered off a series of explosions killing 89 people and injuring over 100 at Petlawad town there.

Congress communication department chief Randeep Surjewala said it was a case of criminal negligence and said Chouhan's actions will be a test of his governance.

"Blast in Jhabua is the most gruesome incident of murder of unsuspecting people due to criminal negligence!
"Will Shivraj Chauhan wake up and order registration of case of murder by negligence and judicial inquiry by a sitting High court judge or protect the suspect because he is reportedly an office bearer of BJP? Therein lies the test of governance," he tweeted.
Madya Pradesh Congress chief Arun Yadav said on Twitter. "The house in which all the explosives were stacked was of a local BJP leader. Therefore no outrage. The guy is absconding and no case yet.

"As per the preliminary reports, there was no cylinder explosion. It actually happened in the godown itself where the explosives were stored. The administration relaxed the strict laws related to storage of explosives because the accused is a BJP leader. Shame!"
In another tweet, he alleged, "The prime accused BJP leader Rajendra Kasawa used the rented space 2 illegally store the explosives. He took it in the name of storing seeds."
Singhvi asked the Chief Minister what action he had taken in the matter.
"What action you have taken against the administration, which allowed this. What action have you taken against the District President of your Vyapar Mandal. Is it not a complete abuse and misuse of political power?," he asked.