Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has intensified his criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party over alleged irregularities related to an ethanol-linked rice procurement scheme in Madhya Pradesh. In a statement shared on social media, Kharge alleged that rice intended for government welfare programmes had been diverted, resulting in significant financial losses.
According to Kharge, the alleged irregularities involve rice that was reportedly meant for nutritional schemes benefiting children, pregnant women, and adolescent girls. He claimed that the diversion of the food grain occurred for commercial purposes connected to ethanol production and described the matter as a serious issue requiring a transparent investigation.
Kharge further alleged that the value of the suspected irregularities could amount to approximately Rs 1,200 crore. He stated that nearly five lakh metric tonnes of rice had allegedly become part of the irregular transactions. The Congress leader also claimed that the alleged diversion took place with the involvement of rice mill operators, individuals associated with the ethanol sector, and government authorities. These allegations have not been independently established by any court or official investigation at the time of publication.
In his remarks, Kharge accused the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh of failing to prevent corruption and called for accountability. He alleged that the state had witnessed repeated allegations of financial irregularities and said the latest claims should be thoroughly examined by the appropriate authorities.
The controversy comes after reports that a Special Investigation Team has been constituted to examine aspects of the alleged case. The scope, findings, and conclusions of the investigation have not yet been made public. As the inquiry is ongoing, no official determination has been made regarding the allegations.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has consistently rejected allegations of corruption made by the opposition in various political disputes. At the time of writing, the party has not publicly accepted the specific allegations made by Kharge regarding the alleged ethanol-related rice diversion.
The issue has added to the political exchanges between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress ahead of upcoming political events. Congress leaders have indicated that they will continue to seek explanations regarding the matter, while the government is expected to respond through official channels if necessary.
Public distribution of food grains and welfare nutrition programmes remain important components of government social welfare initiatives. Any allegation involving diversion of food supplies generally requires verification through established legal and investigative procedures before responsibility can be determined.
Political observers note that allegations of financial irregularities often become major issues of debate between ruling and opposition parties. However, they also emphasize that conclusions should be based on verified evidence produced during official investigations rather than political statements alone.
As the investigation progresses, further information is expected from the concerned authorities. Any official findings or legal action arising from the inquiry will provide greater clarity regarding the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case.