Minister wants to be etched in stone

For that, he is on a spree of laying foundation stones for different projects — all named after him. His detractors are calling it ‘Gopalisation’. But Bhargava is unruffled.

Madhya Pradesh cooperatives minister Gopal Bhargava is striving hard to become immortal. For that, he is on a spree of laying foundation stones for different projects — all named after him. His detractors are calling it ‘Gopalisation’. But Bhargava is unruffled.

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Congress leader and former vice-chairman of MP Road Transport Corporation Jeevan Patel says virtually all the roads, ponds and buildings have been named after the minister.

“We see Gopal Road, Gopal Talaab and Gopal Bhawan all around,” says Patel.

Last month, some villagers of Bhainswahi in Rehli tehsil — Patel’s constituency — of Sagar district destroyed nearly 1,100 foundation stones laid by Bhargava. He said some anti-development people broke the foundation stones.

But within a few hours, the indomitable minister ‘inaugurated’ the foundation stones again in a function at Rehli. And this time too, all the stones bore Gopal Bhargava’s name.

Village Sarpanch Bhav Singh Adivasi said he had complained about the foundation stone of Gopal Bhawan having been found broken.

“Some unidentified persons had damaged the stone,” said Adivasi.

Local police said a complaint had been filed and the police are investigating the matter, but no arrest had been made yet.