BHOPAL: Under constant attack from Opposition Congress over Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday was absolved of all allegations by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley. Chouhan was called BJP's credible chief minister , who developed the state to an extent that the letter 'M' has been deleted from BIMARU states.

Addressing the inaugural session of the state BJP working committee, Jaitley, who was representing the party high command at the meet said, "As chief minister, we found in Chouhan, a leadership based on credibility. It becomes a problem for the Opposition so they fake false statements. When there is nothing against chief minister, he gets maligned by accusations."

Union finance minister said that in 2003, the BJP won the elections riding on Congress government's weaknesses and inefficiencies. But in 2008 and 2013, when the BJP returned to power it was because of its capabilities. "All chief ministers, who won a third term of government, have one common factor. The agriculture growth rates of these states have been more than 8%," Jaitley said.

He said that during Congress rule, the country achieved 2.5 to 3% growth internationally known as Hindu rate of growth characterized by poverty, famine, unemployment in which BIMARU states Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh would never be able to keep pace with development. "Shivraj wrote the turn around story and took Madhya Pradesh out of BIMARU. Now Chhattisgarh , Rajasthan are also progressing," Jaitley said.

Finance minister said that while MP, under Chouhan, has become a revenue surplus state, there are others like Kerala and West Bengal, which still incur revenue loss. He praised Chouhan for improving the quality of life in the state while Madhya Pradesh has achieved 20% growth in agriculture and makes large contribution to the country's food bowl.

