Vyapam Scam: Remove Shivraj Chouhan as Madhya Pradesh CM, Ajay Singh writes to PM Modi

Activists from India's opposition Congress party shout slogans during a protest demanding resignation of Madhya Pradesh state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Bhopal, India, July 7, 2015. The deaths of a number of witnesses in a massive fraud case surrounding cheating at college and government jobs has become the latest source of discomfort for India's ruling party, already on the defensive over influence trafficking allegations. Investigators say thousands of people got jobs or medical degrees from systematic exam cheating that generated millions of dollars in bribes in the state of Madhya Pradesh. At least 36 people connected to the case in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) run state have died since the scam was first brought to light. More than 2,000 have been arrested in relation to the scam. Chouhan, a popular BJP leader, denies wrongdoing. But on Tuesday he buckled to pressure and said the inquiry should be handed to the Central Bureau of Investigation to avoid suspicion of political meddling. The centre poster reads: "Whoever tries to speak the truth will be killed" (speech on left in poster) Vyapam killer avenue (road sign in poster)" REUTERS/Raj Patidar - RTX1JDMX

Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Ajay Singh on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Shivraj Singh Chouhan from the post of chief minister in the wake of CAG observations in Vyapam scam.

The recently released Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has rapped the state government over Vyapam scam.

The CAG has passed strictures against the Madhya Pradesh government for "systematic subversion of rules" in appointment of director and controller of the scam-tainted Professional Examination Board (also known by its Hindi name -Vyapam).

Singh alleged that 53 persons died and 55 FIRs were registered in connection with the scam. Nearly 2,500 persons were facing investigation by various agencies including the CBI. Now, CAG has highlighted irregularities in it.

Besides, 2,100 persons were arrested in connection of this massive admission and recruitment racket, he said.

"All this (Vyapam scam) transpired during the tenure of Chouhan as CM. He was incharge of the state's medical education department when this scam occurred. The CM himself has admitted to the irregularities in 1,378 appointments made through Vyapam," he said.

Leader of Opposition said, "Surprisingly, none of the investigating agency summoned the chief minister to get details about the scam.

"When former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh can be summoned on ground of being incharge of coal ministry, why a chief minister can't be examined."

Singh said, earlier, two chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh -- Uma Bharti and Babulal Gaur were removed from their post by the top BJP leadership when charges were not even related to corruption.

"Why BJP's top leadership is going soft on Chouhan?" he wanted to know.