By L S Herdenia
BHOPAL: The passing of every day factional fight in the Madhya Pradesh Congress is becoming murkier. Minister Umang Singar has not stopped his tirade against Digvijaya Singh, senior most MP Congress leader despite Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s stern warning to him. Nath summoned him and told him to keep quiet.
In a significant development Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is aspiring to become state Congress chief, who was tight lipped so far has chosen to comment on the ongoing controversy. At present Kamal Nath holds the charge of PCC chief also. But he has made clear that he can’t hold the dual charge. In fact Scindia came out in support of Umang Singar. Scindia said that no one should interfere in the running of the state government.
Speaking to reporters in Gwalior Scindia urged chief minister Kamal Nath to discuss with ‘both parties’ and resolve the issue. “The chief minister should sit, listen to both parties and speak to them. Only then will the matter be resolved”, Scindia said, adding that the party is in power after 15 long years and people have great expectations from them.
“With a lot of difficulty and hard work for over 15 years, there is today a Congress government in the state. It is not even six months, everyone worked with hope and faith that a new Madhya Pradesh will be established and development and progress will take place”, he said, urging the government to ‘keep in mind that people have hope and expectation from this government”.
Scindia stressed that not just Umang Singhar, but “Digvijaya Singh’s version should also be heard”. In an indirect attack on Digvijaya Singh, Scindia said “The government should run on its own foundation and strength. No intervention should take place, there are no two opinions about that. The government should work freely”. Scindia said.
After Scindia’s comments, the state Congress issued a statement from chief minister Kamal Nath, saying “Digvijaya Singh was chief minister for 10 years. He was also state Congress president. I consult him from time to time to take the benefit of his experience. Just not him, I consult many former chief ministers and former state Congress presidents for the benefit of the state. I also take advice from Congress national leadership and consult other leaders to make a road map for development of the state”.
The chief minister said he even consulted chief ministers of other sates regarding schemes and development policies. “I don’t think discussion, advice and consultation are wrong. A person, at any age, should seek advice and knowledge” he added.
The Chief Minister summoned Singhar and party MLAs Rajyavardhan Singh Dattigaon and Hiralal Alawa – whose names had surfaced in a controversial audio clip. Earlier Singhar had been going hammer and tongs at Digvijaya, calling him a ‘black mailer’ and accusing him of trying to ‘sabotage the government’. Nath gave them some tough talk and advised Sainghar that he should have approached him to sort out issues rather than making statements before media, say sources.
Ministers belonging to rival factions are demanding removal of Ministers belonging to other factions causing embarrassment to the Chief Minister.
It is obvious that the BJP would not keep quiet and react sharply over the state of affairs in the Congress. Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan referred to the bickering in Congress and urged Sonia Gandhi to “clarify what is happening in the party in MP”. “There is a constitutional crisis in the state as minister Singhar says Digvijaya Singh is running the government from behind the curtains. The Congress should clarify who is running the government”
It is learnt that Chief Minister will hold consultation with all the Ministers. He has called the meeting of sub-committee on political affairs. The committee is headed by the CM and comprises of six top ministers. However, the CM is believed to have instructed all 28 ministers to be present during the meeting hours.
Kamal Nath is in combat mode and launched a counter attack against the BJP for its constant jibe on ‘who is running the government’ “There is no constitutional crisis in Madhya Pradesh and not the slightest contradiction within the party over the chief ministers post. Nath said.
“The people of the state, all MLAs and the party have shown full faith and entrusted me with the leadership. From the very first day I am fulfilling my duties and responsibilities with commitment and honesty. I am capable enough of ding so” Nath said adding that BJP allegations are “baseless and misguided”. “Everyone knows who is running the government and there is no need to comment on this”.(IPA Service)
