Bhopal witnessed a dramatic showdown in the state assembly premises on Wednesday as Congress legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, held aloft empty piggy banks to spotlight Madhya Pradesh’s mounting debt burden. This bold protest unfolded on the third day of the budget session, underscoring the opposition’s fierce criticism of the ruling government’s economic stewardship.
Gathering before Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, the MLAs brandished placards with sharp slogans and empty piggy banks, symbolizing the state’s depleted finances. Singhar didn’t mince words, accusing the government of juggling numbers to mask a grim reality where the state’s total debt has surpassed even the annual budget figure.
“This isn’t just an empty piggy bank; it’s the people’s treasury that the government and its ministers have emptied,” Singhar thundered. He revealed that the debt has ballooned beyond Rs 5 lakh crore, crushing every section of society under inflation and borrowing. Just before the budget session, the government reportedly took on another Rs 5,600 crore loan, which Singhar slammed as a sign of fiscal recklessness.
The Leader of Opposition tore into the economic survey, calling it a ‘bundle of lies.’ Claims of per capita monthly income reaching Rs 15,000-20,000 rang hollow against ground realities, he argued. Singhar demanded a white paper on the true financial state and transparency on the debt spiral.
As the protest wrapped up, the message was clear: Madhya Pradesh’s economy is on the brink, and the opposition vows to keep the pressure on. With elections looming, this symbolic act could resonate deeply with debt-weary voters, forcing the government to address these burning issues head-on.