• Source:JND
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State Cabinet Minister Vijay Shah has stated that he will not resign from his position, despite the backlash following his comments about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Speaking from his village in Harsud, Khandwa district, Shah warned that he would consider forming a tribal army if he faces injustice, indicating his intent to establish a separate organisation if dismissed from office.

Senior party officials, including Kailash Vijayvargiya has convinced him to resign, but Shah has remained resolute. On Thursday, BJP’s Madhya Pradesh in-charge, Mahendra Singh, met with national organisation general secretary, BL Santosh, to discuss the ongoing situation regarding Shah.

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According to a Jagran.com report, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the legality of the FIR filed against Shah on Friday, which adds further complexity to the matter. Late Thursday evening, Mahendra Singh, along with state president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, convened a meeting at the Chief Minister's residence to address Shah's situation. They concluded that it would be best to wait for the court’s ruling before taking any decisive action, including a potential cabinet dismissal.

Party insiders reveal that National Co-Organisation General Secretary Shiv Prakash also spoke with Shah, urging him to consider resigning, but he has not agreed to this suggestion. Shah’s stronghold in the tribal community, particularly in the Malwa-Nimar region, makes his position significant for the party. This influence is why the BJP is cautious about taking any steps that could alienate another tribal leader.

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The situation is further complicated by the history of another tribal minister, Nagar Singh Chauhan, who lost his Forestry and Environment Department following his wife's election to Parliament. Chauhan's vocal discontent with this decision has made the BJP wary of angering Shah as well.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has rejected calls from the Congress party for Shah’s resignation, stating that the government will act in accordance with judicial orders. He suggested that Congress should focus on its own issues, pointing out ongoing legal troubles faced by their ministers. "Congress has no right to speak on this matter," Yadav remarked.