<p>Ahmedabad: The arrest of a BJP minister's son in an alleged MGNREGA scam, ahead of the by-polls to the Visavadar and Kadi Assembly seats, has put the ruling party in a fix. </p>.<p>While the BJP has not removed minister Bachubhai Khabad despite demands within the party and by the opposition, the scam has given the Congress and AAP ammunition to target the government's 'clean image'.</p>.Gujarat minister Bachubhai Khabad's son held in second case of MGNREGA 'scam'.<p>The Congress on Wednesday alleged that it was a statewide fraud and if investigated thoroughly the amount can exceed Rs 10,000 crore. These claims are based on three FIRs naming two sons of Khabad, Balvant and Kiran. They are accused of corruption in projects undertaken under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).</p>.<p>It was alleged that from 2021 to 2024, various projects under MNREGA were undertaken for which funds were collected based on forged documents and bogus work completion certificates.</p>.<p>The FIRs allege that there was a collusion between private individuals, and government employees who siphoned off the funds.</p>.<p>Although the result of the by-election is insignificant for the BJP, it will test which way the three-corner contest goes.</p>.<p>The Congress and AAP suffered massive defeats in the 2022 Assembly elections. For the BJP, a defeat will be a major embarrassment in the state where it enjoys complete dominance, and a victory for the Congress or AAP will bolster their confidence ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.</p>.<p>The Congress on Wednesday said the scam was a 'systematic loot' which was not being investigated thoroughly.</p>.<p>Congress MLA Amit Chavda, who first raised the scandal during the assembly session, said, "The Rs 70-80 crore scam pertains to only two talukas, Devgadh Baria and Dhanpur, of Dahod district but a similar fraud can be unearthed if an investigation is taken across the state. The amount of scam will exceed Rs 10,000 crore."</p>.<p>"Be it works related to check dams, plantation, leveling soil, digging of irrigation wells, stormwater drainage, among other works, there is evidence of misappropriation of government funds. The BJP is trying to shield its minister and pretending to investigate the matter instead of removing him from the post so that he doesn't misuse his power."</p>
<p>Ahmedabad: The arrest of a BJP minister's son in an alleged MGNREGA scam, ahead of the by-polls to the Visavadar and Kadi Assembly seats, has put the ruling party in a fix. </p>.<p>While the BJP has not removed minister Bachubhai Khabad despite demands within the party and by the opposition, the scam has given the Congress and AAP ammunition to target the government's 'clean image'.</p>.Gujarat minister Bachubhai Khabad's son held in second case of MGNREGA 'scam'.<p>The Congress on Wednesday alleged that it was a statewide fraud and if investigated thoroughly the amount can exceed Rs 10,000 crore. These claims are based on three FIRs naming two sons of Khabad, Balvant and Kiran. They are accused of corruption in projects undertaken under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).</p>.<p>It was alleged that from 2021 to 2024, various projects under MNREGA were undertaken for which funds were collected based on forged documents and bogus work completion certificates.</p>.<p>The FIRs allege that there was a collusion between private individuals, and government employees who siphoned off the funds.</p>.<p>Although the result of the by-election is insignificant for the BJP, it will test which way the three-corner contest goes.</p>.<p>The Congress and AAP suffered massive defeats in the 2022 Assembly elections. For the BJP, a defeat will be a major embarrassment in the state where it enjoys complete dominance, and a victory for the Congress or AAP will bolster their confidence ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.</p>.<p>The Congress on Wednesday said the scam was a 'systematic loot' which was not being investigated thoroughly.</p>.<p>Congress MLA Amit Chavda, who first raised the scandal during the assembly session, said, "The Rs 70-80 crore scam pertains to only two talukas, Devgadh Baria and Dhanpur, of Dahod district but a similar fraud can be unearthed if an investigation is taken across the state. The amount of scam will exceed Rs 10,000 crore."</p>.<p>"Be it works related to check dams, plantation, leveling soil, digging of irrigation wells, stormwater drainage, among other works, there is evidence of misappropriation of government funds. The BJP is trying to shield its minister and pretending to investigate the matter instead of removing him from the post so that he doesn't misuse his power."</p>