Madhya Pradesh Congress has accused state minister Narottam Mishra of flouting COVID rules
Madhya Pradesh Congress has accused state Home Minister Narottam Mishra of defying social distancing rules and meeting people during the pandemic and has announced a reward of Rs 11,000 for any BJP leader who can get the minister to follow the coronavirus guidelines.
In a statement, state Congress spokesman Narendra Singh Saluja said, "Shivraj ji (Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan), you and your three ministers, besides BJP MLAs and RSS leaders got infected with coronavirus. This number is increasing everyday."
"While Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) insists that people wear masks and maintain do gaz doori (six-feet distance), the state home minister is not following these rules. When will he implement it?" he asked.
"Any BJP leader who advises Narottam Mishra and ensures that he wears a mask, maintains distance and follows the coronavirus guidelines will be rewarded Rs 11,000 by the Congress party," Mr Saluja announced.
He alleged that Narottam Mishra neither wears a mask nor maintains social distancing while meeting people, despite being a minister.
However, defending Narottam Mishra, BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal said that the home minister used "gamcha" (towel-like cloth) as a face mask, which was also advised by the prime minister.
"Instead of focusing on BJP, Congress should look at its own programmes where none of the senior leaders wear masks. This could be seen in a programme in Badnawar and also another one in which senior BJP leader Balendu Shukla joined Congress," he said.
"It would be better if instead of pointing figers at others, people themselves follow the COVID-19 guidelines," Mr Agrawal added.