Madhya Pradesh: Computer Baba asks for a chopper
Soon after taking charge, Computer Baba demanded a helicopter from the government.
The Kamal Nath-led government in Madhya Pradesh finally gave the government's gift to Computer Baba. The baba, who first campaigned for Congress party in the Assembly elections held last year and had campaigned openly for Digvijaya Singh during the recently held Lok Sabha polls, has now been given a chair in the secretariat.
Namdev Das Tyagi alias Computer Baba has been appointed as the Chairman for Narmada River Trust by the Madhya Pradesh government.
He took charge on Tuesday as the chairman with chanting of mantras at the Secretariat. During this, ministers PC Sharma and Digvijaya Singh were also present.
The controversial religious functionary was appointed the chairman of Narmada, Kshipra and Mandakini River Trust by the Kamal Nath government on March 10 but had not joined duty. He does not enjoy minister of state status yet.
Soon after taking charge, Computer Baba demanded a helicopter from the government. Even the leaders sitting next to him seemed a little uncomfortable from the strange demand but the newly-inducted chairman made a clear demand.
While demanding a chopper from the government, Baba said that he will have to assess the work being done on Narmada with the help of a helicopter. He apprised the former chief minister Digvijay Singh who was sitting next to him about the helicopter demand.
After assuming charge, Baba also issued a toll-free helpline number for complaints and suggestions related to the Narmada River. He released 1800-120-106106 as a toll-free number for River Narmada also known as the life line of Madhya Pradesh.
During the Lok Sabha elections, Baba had gained a lot of publicity in favour of the Congress. During this time, he was also seen campaigning for Singh from Bhopal. Baba had conducted a yagya and also held a road show with saints in support of the Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal.
A year ago, Shivraj Singh Chouhan had appointed him on a panel to clean and rejuvenate the river and accorded him minister of state status. Ahead of the state Assembly elections, he resigned from his post and sided with the Congress, calling the previous government irreligious.