Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi, whose department has come under a cloud with the I-T department carrying out searches on premises owned by health officials twice in less than one year, resigned on Monday amid reports that he was asked to quit by the party high command.

After raids at his brother Abhay Vishnoi’s premises on Friday, the Opposition clamoured for his head but the minister put up a brave front saying the operation was undertaken to defame him.

The minister’s younger brother was brought on deputation from the energy department to Laghu Udyog Nigam, a government body entrusted with purchasing drugs and medical equipment. The minister and his brother have a joint property in Jabalpur, which was raided last week.

Vishnoi claimed he was innocent but was tendering his resignation because the allegations were “bringing a bad name” to the government. He claimed the party and the chief minister backed him but he was resigning on “moral grounds.”

The minister was on the Opposition’s target both for alleged irregularities in purchase of drugs and medicines and for proliferation of medical and nursery institutions during his tenure.

After Friday’s raids, IAS officer Rajesh Rajora had also resigned on moral grounds. The 1990 batch officer was Health Commissioner when the scandal in the health department came to light. He was made Home Secretary a few months ago.

IT officials have alleged a link between health officials, builders and drug suppliers indicating that fake purchases were made and the money used to invest in properties. According to documents seized in Jabalpur, crores were paid to the government officials as commission. Irregularities in the operation of mobile dispensaries that take health services to rural areas have come to light.

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