BJP Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana Under Fire for MPLAD Fund Allocation
Gulam Ali Khatana, a BJP Rajya Sabha member from Jammu & Kashmir, is facing intense criticism for directing a significant portion of his MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund to projects in Uttar Pradesh rather than the state he represents in the Upper House of Parliament. The controversy has ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of neglecting J&K's development needs.
Political Backlash Over Fund Distribution
National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq expressed strong disapproval, questioning the rationale behind Khatana's nomination if 94% of his development funds are spent outside J&K. "This exposes the harsh truth: J&K's representation has been reduced to mere symbolism, while its people are denied their rightful share of resources," Sadiq stated. He emphasized that Khatana's nomination was initially portrayed as an effort to empower the Gujjar community, to which the MP belongs.
PDP spokesperson Aditya Gupta echoed these sentiments, labeling the allocation pattern as indicative of the BJP's political strategy. "He entered Parliament from J&K, but his development funds went to UP. This is the BJP model—votes from Jammu, funds for Uttar Pradesh," Gupta remarked. He further criticized local representatives, asserting that "Jammu wasn't betrayed by outsiders; it has always been our own MPs and MLAs who sold our interests."
Details of MPLAD Fund Allocation
Under the MPLAD scheme, nominated Rajya Sabha members have the authority to recommend development projects in any state or district across India. Khatana utilized this provision to propose:
- 139 development projects in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- 3 projects in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh
- 1 project in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh
- 1 project in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh
In contrast, his recommendations for Jammu & Kashmir included:
- 17 projects for Jammu district
- 6 projects for Samba district
- 1 project for Kathua district
- 6 projects for Poonch district
- 2 projects for Rajouri district
This distribution highlights a stark disparity, with the majority of funds earmarked for Uttar Pradesh.
Khatana's Background and Defense
Gulam Ali Khatana, a native of Jammu, joined the BJP in 2008 and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022 from the Jammu region. In response to the criticism, Khatana defended his decisions by citing the rules of the MPLAD scheme. "I was nominated as an MP. I have the right to recommend works in any part of the country as per the guidelines," he told TOI. His stance underscores the flexibility allowed under the scheme, though it has not mitigated the political fallout.
Broader Implications for Representation and Development
The controversy raises significant questions about the effectiveness of parliamentary representation and the allocation of development funds. Critics argue that such practices undermine the purpose of having MPs from specific regions if their resources are diverted elsewhere. The issue also touches on broader themes of regional equity and political accountability, particularly in sensitive areas like Jammu & Kashmir.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact Khatana's political standing and the BJP's image in J&K. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between local development needs and national political strategies.
