Jabalpur BJP Expresses Outrage: When Will Deceased Leaders' Statues Be Reinstated?

BJP Stalwarts' Statues Ignored in Jabalpur

Senior leaders and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jabalpur, Mahakosal, and across Madhya Pradesh are expressing significant discontent over the neglect of statues honouring deceased stalwarts who played a crucial role in establishing the party. Statues of former MP Late Baburao Paranjape and ex-Minister Late Onkar Prasad Tiwari have not been reinstalled since their removal under the current BJP government, leaving old-guard party workers feeling overlooked.

This issue surfaced during the visit of State Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar to Jabalpur. He met with Lok Omkar Tiwari, son of the late Pandit Omkar Maharaj and a BJP leader, along with supporters of both late public figures, at the residence of former Advocate General Ravinandan Singh.

During the meeting, these workers informed the Assembly Speaker that the statues of Late Paranjape and Late Omkar Maharaj were initially erected during the tenures of former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and former Mayor Sushila Singh.

Construction Obstruction Cited as Reason for Removal

Sources indicate that the statues were temporarily removed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Municipal Corporation administration during the construction of the Damohnaka flyover. This was done citing them as obstacles and to prevent damage during the construction phase. Both the Paranjape and Tiwari families, along with their supporters, agreed to the temporary relocation, cooperating with the city's development project.

The administration had assured that the statues would be reinstated at their original locations once the flyover construction was completed.

Bureaucratic Delay and Blame Shifting

Despite the completion of the flyover construction, the PWD and the Municipal Corporation administration are now engaged in a blame game regarding the reinstallation of the statues. Both departments are evading responsibility, refusing to acknowledge who is actually accountable for ensuring the statues are put back in place.

This inaction has deeply angered the party's veteran workers, who view it as a sign of disrespect towards the leaders who tirelessly worked to bring the BJP to its current stature.

Assembly Speaker Intervenes, Directs Swift Action

Upon learning of the matter, Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar took immediate cognizance. He has instructed the Mayor of Jabalpur, Jagat Bahadur Annu, to ensure the prompt reinstallation of the statues of Late Baburao Paranjape and Late Onkar Tiwari at their designated spots. Furthermore, he has communicated with the local MLA, Abhilash Pandey, urging him to expedite the completion of this task.

Elected Representatives Support, Administration Drags Feet

It is noteworthy that all elected representatives, including the State Minister for Public Works, Rakesh Singh, Jabalpur MP Ashish Dubey, local MLA Abhilash Pandey, and Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu, have already lent their support for the reinstatement of the statues of both deceased leaders. Despite this widespread support from public representatives, the continuous delays by the PWD and the Municipal Corporation administration remain inexplicable to the public and party workers.

Workers believe this attitude undermines the contributions of the leaders who laid the foundation of the party.

Key Figures Attend Meeting

The meeting at the residence of former Advocate General Shri Singh was attended by Mayor Jagat Bahadur Annu, former Mayor Sushila Singh, Municipal Corporation President Rikunj Vij, JDA President Sandeep Jain, BJP City President Ratnesh Sonkar, Alok Omkar Tiwari, along with other senior BJP leaders, old associates of both public figures, office-bearers, and a large number of party workers. All present reiterated their demand for the immediate reinstallation of the statues.