BHOPAL: Namdev Tyagi aka ‘Computer Baba’, who was among the five sadhus and religious leaders granted MoS status by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in April, quit from his ministerial post on Monday.
The 53-year-old ‘Computer Baba’ announced his decision after a marathon meeting with Hindu seers in Bhopal.“Mai computer baba, bhari man se aapse anurodh kar rahan hoon ki main sant pujariyon ke hit mein mutth-mandir sanrakshan, gau sanrakshan, Narmada sanrakshan ke saath aneko dharmik karyon ke liye athak prayas karne ke bavjood apni baat sarkar se manvane mein nakam raha. (I submit with a heavy heart that despite working religiously for the cause of protection of temples and muths, interests of seers, cow and Narmada river conservation and other religious works, I failed to get my concerns addressed by the govt.),” he wrote in his resignation letter.
Later, the sadhu said he had no option but to quit as the government failed to take care of cows and other environmental issues, particularly Narmada conservation.He alleged the government had done precious little for Narmada conservation, as rampant, illegal sand mining was still on.”What will I do with the MoS status, when I’m not able to serve the cause of the Hindu seers and the river?”
The resignation happened just a day after Chouhan announced a separate ministry for the conservation and welfare of cows. “The cow protection board has done little. What will a new ministry do more? If there can be a ministry for cow, why not a separate ministry for Narmada?” the sadhu questioned.
BJP chief spokesperson Deepak Vijayvargiya said the sadhu was entrusted with the MoS responsibility as per his wishes by the government. “But, he is follows his own rules.”
Meanwhile, MP Congress chief Kamal Nath’s media coordinator Narendra Saluja sought the CM’s response to the allegations. He also requested the sadhu to start his suspended Narmada yatra across the state. “It’s quite possible that the CM will lure him now with Cabinet minister’s status,” he said.