Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Minister Lakhan Patel first comments after shift to Happiness Department
There is a state in India called Madhya Pradesh, run by a government with many ministers.
One minister, Lakhan Patel, used to be in charge of the department that takes care of farm animals.
The leader of the state, the chief minister, gave him a new job instead, leading the Happiness Department.
Mr. Patel talked to reporters for the first time since the change.
He said the chief minister is the boss and can choose which department each minister leads.
He said he is happy, and that his seniors always show him affection.
Some people said he may have done something wrong with land for cowsheds.
Mr. Patel told them to read the rules, which are online, and said their claims are imagination.
He said he will work hard in his new department and continues to speak with the chief minister.
Lakhan Patel was shifted from the Animal Husbandry Department to the Happiness Department by the Madhya Pradesh government.
He spoke to media for the first time since the change, at the BJP office in Bhopal on Wednesday.
Patel said changing a minister's department is the chief minister's prerogative and that he feels happy.
On cowshed land allegations, he said the policy available on the internet shows critics' claims are their 'imagination.'
People linked the transfer to a dispute over a cowshed tender and his differences with the Dairy Development Board.
- Who
- Lakhan Patel, a minister in the Madhya Pradesh state government
- What
- He was moved from the Animal Husbandry Department to the Happiness Department and gave his first media remarks on the change
- When
- The department change happened late on the night of July 14; Patel spoke to media on Wednesday
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, at the BJP office
- Why
- Officially, the change was the chief minister's prerogative; speculation points to a cowshed tender dispute and differences with the Dairy Development Board
Minister's and government's position
Public speculation
Reason for the department change
Minister's and government's position
Changing a minister's department is the chief minister's prerogative; Patel says he feels happy and did nothing wrong.
Public speculation
People say a dispute over a tender for cowsheds and differences with the Dairy Development Board led to the transfer.
Allegations about land for cowsheds
Minister's and government's position
The policy is available on the internet, and whoever reads it would understand the reality; critics' claims showcase their imagination.
Public speculation
Allegations over land for cowsheds are being discussed as a possible reason behind the minister's removal from the department.
- Minister
- Lakhan Patel
- Former department
- Animal Husbandry Department
- New department
- Happiness Department
- Date of transfer
- Late night, July 14
- First media interaction
- Wednesday, at BJP office in Bhopal
- Official explanation
- Chief minister's prerogative
- Reported reasons
- Cowshed tender dispute and differences with Dairy Development Board