BJP MLA vows to stay barefoot until roads are built in Madhya Pradesh's Kalapipal
BJP MLA Ghanshyam Chandravanshi vowed not to wear shoes or slippers until roads in his Kalapipal constituency are built, saying he would remain barefoot "even if it takes 10 years."
BJP MLA Ghanshyam Chandravanshi on Thursday vowed not to wear shoes or slippers until roads in his Kalapipal constituency in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur district are repaired, prompting Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to urge him not to make such a sacrifice.
Chandravanshi made the announcement at a public event attended by Yadav, where the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 30 crore.
Addressing the gathering, the Kalapipal MLA highlighted the poor condition of roads in his constituency and declared, "I give up wearing shoes and slippers until the roads in my assembly constituency are built. Even if it takes 10 years, I will not wear footwear until the roads are constructed."
His remarks appeared to leave several leaders on the dais uncomfortable, while drawing applause from sections of the audience.
Soon after the statement, minister Inder Singh Parmar was seen speaking to Chandravanshi, reportedly at the Chief Minister's behest, following which the MLA moved on to other issues.
Responding during his address, Yadav described the MLA's statement as an emotional one and urged him not to give up footwear.
"Our dear MLA has spoken out of emotion. There is no need to remove your shoes or slippers. More than five lakh kilometres of roads have been built in Madhya Pradesh. We are not so weak that we have to give up our footwear. Shoes help us move forward and no obstacle can stop our path," the Chief Minister said.
He also advised Chandravanshi to be mindful of his words, while reiterating that the BJP government remained committed to infrastructure development. Yadav also used the occasion to target the Congress, alleging that the party had always sought to create divisions among states.
The episode revived memories of a similar protest in 2022, when then state energy minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar walked barefoot to press for road repairs in Gwalior. Tomar resumed wearing footwear 66 days later after Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia requested him to end the protest.
BJP MLA Ghanshyam Chandravanshi on Thursday vowed not to wear shoes or slippers until roads in his Kalapipal constituency in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur district are repaired, prompting Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to urge him not to make such a sacrifice.
Chandravanshi made the announcement at a public event attended by Yadav, where the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 30 crore.
Addressing the gathering, the Kalapipal MLA highlighted the poor condition of roads in his constituency and declared, "I give up wearing shoes and slippers until the roads in my assembly constituency are built. Even if it takes 10 years, I will not wear footwear until the roads are constructed."
His remarks appeared to leave several leaders on the dais uncomfortable, while drawing applause from sections of the audience.
Soon after the statement, minister Inder Singh Parmar was seen speaking to Chandravanshi, reportedly at the Chief Minister's behest, following which the MLA moved on to other issues.
Responding during his address, Yadav described the MLA's statement as an emotional one and urged him not to give up footwear.
"Our dear MLA has spoken out of emotion. There is no need to remove your shoes or slippers. More than five lakh kilometres of roads have been built in Madhya Pradesh. We are not so weak that we have to give up our footwear. Shoes help us move forward and no obstacle can stop our path," the Chief Minister said.
He also advised Chandravanshi to be mindful of his words, while reiterating that the BJP government remained committed to infrastructure development. Yadav also used the occasion to target the Congress, alleging that the party had always sought to create divisions among states.
The episode revived memories of a similar protest in 2022, when then state energy minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar walked barefoot to press for road repairs in Gwalior. Tomar resumed wearing footwear 66 days later after Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia requested him to end the protest.
