The decision to introduce a direct flight for Haj pilgrims from Bhopal to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia has become a bone of contention between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh.

While the ruling BJP claims that the decision is the result of efforts made by Madhya Pradesh chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Congress wants to bag the credit through state party president Suresh Pachouri.

Government spokesman and state parliamentary affairs minister Narottam Mishra said that with this decision, the chief minister had fulfilled a promise made to the minorities.

Bhopal MP and former chief minister Kailash Joshi said that sometime back Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel had come to Bhopal to take part in a programme for the extension of Raja Bhoj airport.

Joshi said at this function, Chouhan had raised the issue of introducing a direct flight between Bhopal and Jeddah and Patel had promised that he would look into it soon.

Meanwhile, Congress workers celebrated the decision outside the Madhya Pradesh Congress office here yesterday by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

At the state Congress office here many people under the banner of Arif Masood Fans Club met the state party president, Suresh Pachouri and expressed their gratefulness to him and civil aviation Minister, Praful Patel.

Those present on the occasion included Maulana Abdul Razzak, Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Anwar, Mohammad Nafees and Mohammad Ejaz.

According to Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee president Salim Qureshi the decision has come about as a result of efforts made by chief minister, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and local MP Kailash Joshi.

President of the All-India Muslim Tyohar Committee, Dr Ausaaf Shahmiri Khurram said the Jeddah flight resulted from his efforts for the last 12 years to set up an embarkation point in Bhopal.

Khurram said the air service for Haj pilgrims would help bring Bhopal on the world air map and lead to increased development in the city.