Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday accused certain members of the Opposition of employing tantric rituals to try and win the upcoming elections. "We are reaching out to the people and informing them about our work, while some people are doing tantric kriya [black magic rituals] at crematoriums. Is this democracy? In a democracy, the public is worshipped. It is the way to win the people's faith and serve them," Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
Chouhan's comments came after images showing purported 'tantric' practices at a crematorium in Ujjain went viral. The rituals were allegedly being performed around the photograph of state Congress chief Kamal Nath. The state Congress, however, promptly dismissed Chouhan's remarks, emphasizing their focus on reaching out to the public and highlighting their work.
Chouhan, while flagging off the hi-tech campaign vehicles, named 'raths' or chariots, along with state BJP chief V D Sharma, expressed his dismay at the reported tantric activities.
Addressing the media, Chouhan underscored the efforts of the BJP in seeking votes based on their accomplishments, contrasting it with what he referred to as the Opposition's engagement in tantric rituals. The Chief Minister urged those involved in such practices to worship Lord Mahakal in Ujjain instead.
Expressing surprise at the alleged shift in stance by those sceptical of tantric rituals, Chouhan remarked, "I am surprised as those who had no faith in tantric rituals are now resorting to such things."
In response, state Congress spokesperson K K Mishra criticized the BJP's credibility on the issue, stating that the BJP had "literally turned the state into a crematorium politically" and therefore had no right to comment on tantric rituals.
The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly will go to polls on November 17 in a single phase and the result will be announced on December 3.
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