Shivraj Singh Chouhan draws criticism, ridiculed over flood picture

The photograph showing Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan airborne, resting on the arms of his security guards, to “ensure his safety” while crossing a nullah filled with ankle-deep water in flood-ravaged Panna district on Sunday has received more publicity in the media, particularly in social networking sites, than the devastation caused to the state by the deluge. Even as the Opposition Congress attacked him for displaying “feudal mindset” by allowing himself to be carried on the arms of his security guards, the Twitteratis took a jibe at him with some “epic” comments for feeling unsafe to wade through ankle-deep water in an area completely ravaged by the floods.

“Winner of Gold Medal in Flood Olympics being carried by his coaches in his victory lap!” a twitter post quipped, even as another twitter remark gave a caption to the picture with the line of a Bollywood song, “Aaj kaal paon zameen par naheen padte mere (nowadays, my feet do not touch the ground).”

MP Pradesh Congress Committee president Arun Yadav on Monday said Mr Chouhan’s “photo stunt” to gain cheap publicity has backfired, earning him brickbats from all quarters and demanded his resignation for depicting a “feudal mindset”.

Incidentally, the photo was circulated by the public relations of the MP government on Saturday evening and later withdrawn following the negative publicity.

S.K. Mishra, principal secretary to the chief minister, however, defended him, saying Mr Chouhan has a “Z” security cover, prompting his security personnel to ensure that he was not in any kind of danger.

“The chief minister risked his life by crossing a swollen nullah. He is meeting people affected by flood round-the-clock. He should be appreciated for showing concern for the flood-hit people by reaching them,” he added.