Congress demands Madhya Pradesh government's dismissal

Bhopal -- Protesting against worsening law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh following the murder of a legislator, the Congress staged a sit-in here Monday demanding the dismissal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

Citing the murder of Kishori Lal Verma, legislator from the Pandhana constituency, and his wife as an example of "anarchy and weakening law and order situation", a Congress delegation led by Leader of Opposition Jamuna Devi submitted a memorandum to Governor Balram Jhakar urging him to dismiss the government.

Verma, 62, was brutally murdered Saturday when he was about to take a holy dip in the Narmada river at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district. His 58-year-old wife Veena was also killed when she tried to stop the killer.

The accused, Chandu, a small contractor and a long-time associate of the deceased, was overpowered by people and handed over to the police. The initial investigations revealed that the legislator was murdered over some financial dealings.

"As many as 20 legislators have been attacked during the 33 months of the BJP rule," the Congress said, and asked, "How can the common man be safe when even the representatives of people are not secure?"

It also demanded a high-level probe into the murder.