BHOPAL: Amid war of words erupted between BJP and the ruling Congress over relief to farmers and flood-affected families, state public relations minister PC Sharma accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government of not releasing state's share and funds for relief operations at the instance of former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan . He said if necessary, he would launch an agitation against the Centre for the allocation of funds.

"The state government has taken up rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit areas at war-footing but, BJP is trying to politicise the natural calamity. The Centre has so far not released Rs 1017 crore for Bhawantar Yojana, launched during the previous BJP government, Rs 6500 crore of central schemes, Rs 1500 crore of wheat procurement, Rs 498 crore of central road fund, Rs 598 crore of Nal-Jal Yojana (drinking water scheme)", said Sharma.

He further added, "All these allocations were ceased at the instance of former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is now playing politics during heavy rains in the state. Instead, he should have gone to New Delhi and asked his (BJP) government to immediately release the funds so that relief could be given to the farmers and poor."

Sharma said, "The NDA government has not provided a single penny though, the state government has distributed Rs 100 crores as part of flood relief. To cope with the natural calamity in parts of the state, chief minister Kamal Nath has demanded a sum of Rs 2,000 crore as flood relief which the Centre should release immediately."

Meanwhile, former CM Chouhan who reached flood-affected areas of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts on Monday said that he does not want to indulge in the politics. He said people should come forward to provide all possible help to the flood-affected people and have requested the government to speed up the relief operations.

"The public is in trouble, we cannot sit silently. In Mandsaur and several parts of MP, incessant rains have created havoc. People have been affected severely and trapped due to flood. I have urged the people to come forward and help their brothers and sisters in the state by giving them food, clothes or money," said Chouhan before leaving for Mandsaur, here on Sunday.

