Mohan Yadav row puts Opposition on back foot

A corruption case against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, raised by an English daily, appears to have exposed the Opposition's own vulnerabilities.

- AJIT MAINDOLA

It was expected that the Opposition would adopt an aggressive strategy after the allegations surfaced, but the opposite happened.

The Congress remained silent on the first day, reportedly due to Rahul Gandhi's foreign tour, while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav defended CM Mohan Yadav, dismissing the allegations as a BJP conspiracy. This stance surprised many in political circles.

According to emerging reports, the Congress was preparing to hold a press conference but postponed it over concerns that questions regarding Rahul Gandhi would be raised. Akhilesh Yadav, meanwhile, is said to have chosen the path of defence because of a close associate. Reports suggest that a relative of this associate holds an IAS position in Madhya Pradesh and is allegedly embroiled in a landrelated controversy.

The matter remained there until Wednesday, when the BJP compounded the Congress's troubles by raising corruption allegations involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and his family. In effect, by defending CM Yadav, the Opposition found itself on the back foot.

After a day's delay, the Congress on Wednesday attempted to put CM Yadav and the BJP in the dock, demanding an inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge.