2026

During a visit to Katni district, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari strongly criticised a local BJP MLA, accusing the ruling party of encouraging misgovernance and the influence of mafia elements in the region. Addressing party workers and the media, Patwari alleged that common people in Katni were troubled by issues related to illegal mining, corruption, and misuse of power, while authorities failed to take effective action. Patwari claimed that the BJP government had failed to control unlawful activities and said the situation reflected a breakdown of law and order. He also targeted the BJP leadership for protecting influential leaders instead of addressing public concerns. The remarks intensified political tensions in Katni, with Congress leaders stating that the party would continue to raise people’s issues and expose what they described as failures of the ruling party at both the district and state levels.

A Madhya Pradesh High Court judge stepped aside from hearing an illegal mining case linked to Katni after disclosing that a member of a BJP MLA’s family had attempted to contact him regarding the matter. The case involved allegations of illegal mining activities in and around the Katni region and an alleged lack of action by local authorities despite repeated complaints. In his order, the judge stated that since an attempt was made to communicate with him about the case, it would be appropriate to recuse himself to maintain judicial fairness and avoid any perception of bias. He directed that the case be placed before the Chief Justice for reassignment to another bench. The development sparked political discussion, with opposition parties raising concerns over the influence of political figures in sensitive legal matters. The case is now expected to continue under a different judge.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress has started working on a new political strategy ahead of the upcoming civic body elections to strengthen its position at the grassroots level. After recent electoral setbacks, the party leadership has decided to review the performance and popularity of its leaders and elected representatives across the state. As part of this plan, feedback will be collected from workers and the public to identify leaders who are actively connected with people’s issues and those who have lost public trust. The objective of this exercise is to improve organizational strength, ensure better coordination at the local level, and make informed decisions on future leadership and ticket distribution. Senior Congress leaders believe that early preparation and honest assessment will help the party rebuild its base before the civic polls. The strategy is also seen as a step toward reviving voter confidence and presenting a more effective challenge to the ruling party in local elections.

A BJP leader was shot dead in broad daylight in Katni district, Madhya Pradesh, creating shock and tension in the area. The deceased, Nilesh (Neelu) Rajak, was a local BJP leader and OBC Morcha Mandal president. The incident occurred near a busy market area when two unidentified assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at close range, critically injuring him. Rajak was immediately taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The murder triggered panic among locals and raised serious questions about law and order in the district. Following the incident, police launched a large-scale search operation, examined CCTV footage from nearby areas, and increased security. Political leaders condemned the killing and demanded strict action against the accused. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have assured swift arrests and justice in the case.