BHOPAL: Amid rumours of switching loyalty, former minister and BJP MLA, Sanjay Pathak refuted charges that he called on chief minister Kamal Nath at his official residence and said that he would not quit BJP. The saffron leader also expressed threat to his life amid political turmoil in Madhya Pradesh.

"This is false and baseless that I called on chief minister Kamal Nath on Thursday midnight and tried to hide myself. Do not spread any kind of confusion. I am a part of BJP and will always remain with BJP,' said Pathak in a statement here on Friday.

The BJP MLA from Vijayaraghogarh in Katni district, who while talking to TOI resented closure of his iron ore mines by Jabalpur district administration citing Supreme Court orders, also expressed threat to his life. He said the state is indulging in a political vendetta by involving him in the MLA poaching row and people could see what is happening to him. He also shared his apprehensions in a video statement and also on twitter.

"When I was coming from the airport, three plainclothesmen chased me up to Vidisha road. I anyhow managed to skip them. People should take care that I am not killed. These people can kill and throw me anywhere for their political gains. I fear that they could commit my political murder," said Pathak adding that he would very soon provide evidences of the same.

The BJP leader had on Thursday attacked the Congress government for pressuring him to join Congress. He said the picture being circulated that he visited CM's residence was fake.

"I am not in the picture and the person figured with face covered is somebody else. I am busy attending my brother-in-law who is undergoing a major operation in Hyderabad. In this situation I will not succumb to any pressure what may come," he said.

Pathak, son of a former Congress MLA, had quit old party in 2014 where he was elevated to the post of minister. He was figured in the poaching row by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh among four other BJP leaders.

Taking a strong note of Pathak's statement, leader of opposition (LoP) Gopal Bhargava said that this is very serious matter and he would talk to the chief minister and speaker of the assembly to ensure Pathak's safety.

"In a situation Pathak has clearly mentioned about threat to his life. He has also cited valid reasons. This is a serious matter and I would meet chief minister Kamal Nath and speaker NP Prajapati to ensure Pathak's safety. The government should immediately provide him security," said Bhargava.

The Congress has however sought details and evidences from the BJP leader. "Sanjay Pathak had been a minister in the BJP government. What he is alleging, he should provide clear evidences about threat to his life. But, it seems that he is trying to misguide people in the name of threat and seeking sympathy. He is a mining mafia and people are well aware of him," said Congress state legal cell in-charge, JP Dhanopia.

