No toll tax for buses ferrying 2 lakh tribals to Modi’s Bhopal rally, Congress to hold a parallel convention

In order to woo tribals for political gains, the Shivraj Singh government in Madhya Pradesh has waived off toll tax on vehicles ferrying participants to Bhopal to attend the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ tribal convention being held to mark community icon and freedom fighter Birsa Muda’s birth anniversary on November 15, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Moreover, nodal officers have been appointed by the Collector, Department of Tribal Development (DoTD) to ‘facilitate’ the night stay of the participants coming from various districts to Bhopal.

As per the government’s estimate, 200,000 participants will take part in the rally.

Comprising a list of the organizations/schools/guest houses where participants will stay for the night, the order issued by the Collector, DoTD says, “A rally is proposed in Jamboree Ground on November 15 after Birsa Munda anniversary in which two lakh participants will be taking part...Arrangement for the night stay for the participants coming from different districts has been made in the following organization of Bhopal districts...”

As per media reports, buses ferrying tribals to the rally, to be held at Jamboree Maidan, will also have mechanics onboard to ensure quick repair in the event of the buses developing a snag during the journey.

On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet had decided to declare November 15 as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diva’ to mark the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda and honour the contributions of the members of Scheduled Tribes to Indian history and culture.

Meanwhile, the state unit of the Congress has decided to hold a convention in Jabalpur on November 15 to mark Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary. The Congress alleged that the saffron party was trying to use tribal icons for its “vote bank politics”.

Reacting to it, MP Congress spokesperson KK Mishra said, “No one has problem with PM coming to Bhopal. 13 crores has been sanctioned for his rally but the question is who will pay the amount. Will it come from known sources or from somewhere else?”