Vijay Shah’s Vanished Presence at Indore's Historic Cabinet Meeting

All eyes were on Indore’s Rajwada Palace during the government’s grand event marking the 300th birth anniversary of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. But Madhya Pradesh’s Tribal Affairs Minister, Vijay Shah, who normally commands attention, was nowhere to be seen among his colleagues posing for cameras. His absence set tongues wagging, especially since the region has been buzzing about his recent run-in with the law.

Shah has become a lightning rod for both legal and political controversy after making derogatory remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a respected officer in the Indian Army. His comments were so outrageous that the Supreme Court didn’t just demand an apology—it slammed the language as “crass” and “gutter,” and went a step further, ordering a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to dig deeper.

So what’s really behind Shah’s decision to stay away from the Indore cabinet meeting? Officially, the state BJP president, VD Sharma, played it down, saying it was a matter of 'personal reasons.' But few are buying that explanation. Behind the scenes, political insiders say the government deliberately kept him off the official list, not wanting the event to be overshadowed by his legal troubles.

While the rest of the cabinet was snapped against the backdrop of Rajwada’s storied walls, Shah was conspicuously missing. His portfolios—Tribal Affairs, Public Asset Management, and Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief—meant he would've been a key face at such a major meeting. Yet, party leaders seemed determined to keep the focus on Holkar’s legacy, not Shah’s latest headache.

Pressure Mounts as BJP Waits on SIT Findings

The political fallout has been as intense as the legal consequences. Shah is feeling the heat from all sides. The Congress party was quick to jump in, demanding his resignation and asking the BJP to show him the door. Uma Bharti, a senior BJP figure in her own right, didn’t mince words either, echoing calls for his removal—a rare show of bipartisanship against Shah.

But for now, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the ruling BJP have chosen to play it safe. Their public line is clear: the party will not act before the Supreme Court-mandated SIT wraps up its investigation. This isn’t just about legal protocol—there’s a real fear inside the party that any hasty move could deepen divisions or spark further outrage, especially given Shah’s political clout in some communities.

The Supreme Court's intervention has put BJP in a tough spot, balancing the need to uphold party discipline with the risk of alienating a section of their base if they appear to abandon a senior minister under fire. For Shah, this ongoing suspense means each day brings fresh questions, not just about his future in government, but about how Indian politics handles leaders embroiled in controversy.

Meanwhile, every cabinet gathering—and every empty chair at these meetings—keeps the spotlight burning on a story that just won’t fade.