Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Dr. Anand Rai

Two whistleblowers of the high profile  Vyapam Scam, Dr. Anand Rai and Ashish Chaturvedi, is all set to contest the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections from Jai Adivasi Yuva Sangathan (JAYS), a caste-based tribal youth organization. JAYS national convener Dr Hira Alawa said that Rai who is a medical officer with a government hospital, and Chaturvedi, a social activist, would be contesting from their respective residential cities Indore and Gwalior. Mr. Alawa said, “We are in touch with several social activists who have raised voices against injustice and corruption and are inviting them to contest under our banner”.

Dr Anand Rai, who is famous for exposing the Vyapam Scam said he was considering to contest elections from Indore-5 assembly constituency. PTI quoted him as saying, “Many victims of this scam are yet to get justice. Many big fish involved in this multi-crore scam are still out of the net. I want to change the condition,” he said. Rai is currently posted in the government district hospital of Indore as a medical officer.

Currently, Indore-5 assembly segment is represented by senior BJP leader and former minister Mahendra Hardia.

Another crusader who unveiled the Vyapam scam, Ashish Chaturvedi (28), is also consulting his well-wishers about fighting the polls from Gwalior (East) seat. He was quoted as saying,”The Vyapam scam has affected the basic infrastructure like education, employment and health of the people in MP. I have shared my point of view with the investigating agencies and the government. But influential people are still out of the purview of the investigation. I want to take this issue to the voters”.

Vyapam Scam was related to the MP Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) or Vyapam (Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal) which was exposed in 2013. The case was linked to the illegal admission of candidates in the professional courses and state government jobs in alleged collusion of the mafia, officials and political leaders. Rai and Chaturvedi are responsible for exposing significant aspects of the Vyapam scam.

Dr. Anand Rai who is said to be close to several Congress leaders, including former chief minister Digvijay Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha did not want to be associated with the party as he was disappointed by the fact that several Vyapam scam accused were not “shown the door by Congress”.

Rai said, “Yes, I am close to several Congress leaders, but I am upset as many Congress leaders are still in touch with the Vyapam accused. If they are really concerned about the scam, they should have no association with such tainted persons”. However, State Congress spokesperson J P Dhanopia denied any such contact with any accused in the scam. “We can’t comment on why the two whistleblowers have chosen to fight under JAYS banner,” he said.

Mr. Chaturvedi who was not interested in joining politics said, “I was not in a mood to join politics. But I realized that to fight Vyapam scam accused, it is necessary to have political power and that is why I am planning on contesting. I was attracted to this party as, unlike other mainstream parties, it is untainted and is talking of welfare of tribal youth in the state”.

JAYS is yet to be registered as a political party. Alawa said they have approached the Election Commission for a symbol.

By fatima

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