Joining a growing chorus of dissenting voices within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Patan MP Ajay Vishnoi has accused the Madhya Pradesh state government of bending over backwards to please the liquor mafia.

Vishnoi claims that the entire state government has bowed down to the liquor union. He also shared a video showing party MP Pradeep Patel prostrating himself before the additional SP of his constituency, Mauganj.

Patel decided to take the action after the top police officer refused to heed his repeated complaints about what the MP describes as an increase in criminal incidents in the area.

The video, which has been shared several times on

Vishnoi’s comment on social media comes almost six months after his arch-opponent, Nilesh Awasthi, was inducted into the BJP in March. Vishnoi was quick to express his displeasure at the time.

Those in the know say things came to a head after Awasthi, a former Congress MLA, joined and presented a new challenge to Vishnoi from within his own party.

Naturally miffed by the induction, Vishnoi took to social media and posted a six-minute audio clip criticizing the former Congress MP.

Both Vishnoi and Awasthi contested the 2023 assembly elections from Patan; this time, the former avenged his defeat to Awasthi in 2018.

Their rivalry spanning a considerable period, Vishnoi reacted to Awasthi’s inclusion in his party by saying, “Former MP from Patan, his brother Nilesh Awasthi, is welcome in the BJP.” It is our duty to welcome those who join the BJP.

Not stopping there, Vishnoi added that it was important for people to familiarize themselves with Awasthi’s views on the Congress as the leader had left the party to join the BJP.

“I am sending an audio. In this six-minute audio, Nilesh ji praises former Congress CM Kamal Nath and other leaders, explaining why he is leaving the Congress,” he said. “After three and a half minutes of audio, he says that after joining BJP, what will happen to BJP workers.” He also used foul language towards BJP workers, the MP said in his social media post at the time.

Political observers believe that in the new government, those from the Congress background are given more importance than those who devoted their entire lives to the saffron party. Vishnoi’s recent comments clearly show his dissatisfaction with the state government marginalizing party elders.