Vyapam scam: ‘I am a minister yet I am scared,’ says Uma Bharti

New Delhi: Union Minister Uma Bharti has said she is "scared" by the number of deaths linked to the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh and said there is "panic" in the state.

"There is panic in Madhya Pradesh due to the deaths. I am scared for the lives of people connected to me. I am a minister but still I am scared. I will convey my fears to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan," Ms Bharti, a former Chief Minister of the state, was quoted as having told India Today TV.

The number of deaths related to the admission and recruitment scam has risen to 35 after a journalist and a medical college dean died over the weekend. Since 2012, 10 people have died in road accidents and there have been five suicides. The Congress alleges at least 45 have died.

Uma Bharti, the union Water Resources Minister, said it was possible that people are dying of "shame and fear" caused by the scandal.

"Maybe nobody is killing them. But the fear and shame of the innocent people is causing brain haemorrhage, heart attack or suicide. Because when I heard my name in Vyapam, even I have gone through lot of trauma," she claimed.

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Ms Bharti said she felt "sorry" for the people of state and for Shivraj Singh Chouhan, whom she described as "sensitive."

"We have won the elections under Shivraj Singh Chouhan. We won 27 out of 29 seats. But because of the fear created in the state, he (Chouhan) must find way out to put state at ease," she said.

The minister said it was "unfair" that she was also dragged into the case, as she was the first person to suggest a CBI investigation.

"I was named in the FIR as per an accused's version. I am shocked that my name has been dragged into this," she said, alleging a "very deep conspiracy."