Madhya Pradesh CM wields pickaxe in Ujjain — to pull down own home for Simhastha preparation

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh made a unique appearance at a project site in Ujjain, carrying a pickaxe and using it to demolish a portion of his ancestral home. This unconventional approach was undertaken to make way for the widening of a road in preparation for the upcoming Simhastha 2028 religious festival. The house, constructed by Yadav's grandfather in 1974, holds significant sentimental value as it was where the CM spent his childhood.

While Yadav's gesture aimed to symbolically demonstrate that no property, including those belonging to VIPs, would be spared, the decision has not been without controversy. The road widening project, which is expected to accommodate nearly 40 crore visitors during the festival, has faced resistance from residents and has led to a legal challenge by the Shahi Masjid mosque.

Despite the opposition, Yadav emphasized the voluntary participation of the city's inhabitants in relocating portions of their houses, describing it as an "ideal example" of public cooperation. He also paid tribute to his government for carrying out the demolition without bias. The widening of the road, approximately 730 meters long, aims to improve traffic flow during the anticipated influx of pilgrims and vehicles.