Amid Vyapam row, Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Delhi, likely to meet BJP leaders

NEW DELHI: Amid a raging row over the Vyapam scam in which the Opposition has sought his resignation, embattled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan arrived here today and is expected to meet BJP leaders to discuss various issues related to the controversy.

The visit assumes significance given that the Supreme Court will hear tomorrow the plea of Congress leader Digvijay Singh and three whistleblowers seeking an apex court-monitored CBI probe into the scam.

However, the official reason cited for Chouhan's visit is his meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj regarding the preparations for the World Hindi Conference to be held in Bhopal later this year.

Chouhan, who is facing an Opposition onslaught on the Vyapam professional services recruitment scam, had yesterday made a U-turn and agreed to approach the state high court requesting it to order a CBI probe in the matter.

Meanwhile, the high court today deferred the hearing on the state government's plea to July 17, saying the PIL in the matter was pending before the Supreme Court.

According to sources, Chouhan will be meeting party leaders during his stay here and was expected to discuss various aspects of the controversy.

The Opposition has alleged that nearly 45 people having links with the Vyapam admission and recruitment scam have died since the investigation into the scandal began in July 2013. At least five people, including a journalist covering the scam, have died under mysterious circumstances in last one week.