The Bhagalpur chapter of Bihar Administrative Service Association has decided to boycott programmes of health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey in the district.

The members wore black badges on Thursday as a mark of their protest. The agitation comes in the wake of the minister’s reported criticism of the bureaucracy in the district, in particular, and the state in general, on April 30. Choubey was in Bhagalpur for the concluding ceremony of a two-day health check-up camp.

Ansuchit Jati-Janjati Karmachari Sangh, an organisation of Schedule Caste/Scheduled Tribe government employees, has called a Bhagalpur bandh on May 10 to protest Choubey’s comment.

Choubey reportedly criticised the alleged bureaucratic interference in the state’s development. Sources said he had taken a dig at the “nexus” of corrupt officials and political leaders, who allegedly tried to foil the health camp.

The sources said Choubey’s comments were directed at Bhagalpur district magistrate Narmadeshwar Lal and BJP MLA Shahnawaz Hussain. Choubey clarified that he had not said anything against any individual but had warned “corrupt officials”.