By L S Herdenia
BHOPAL: How democracy can be subverted is the finding of a survey conducted by a leading news paper of the state. The survey revealed that vested interest, who described as “Dabang” are controlled many panchayat without contesting election. This Dabang pays a fixed sum to the sarpanch and panch and obtain all powers to run the panchayats. This is widespread position in the reserved panchayats. They include such “Dabang” who finance election of sarpanch and after election they obtain total control of the panchayat.
The survey revealed that the amount paid ran into several lakhs.. This racket prevail in such panchayats which are reserved for women. In some cases the women sarpanch are not aware that such a deal has been done. In most cases the deal is done by their husbands. The most interesting aspect of these deals is that they are executed in writing. The survey also finds out that the power of the Panchayats also seized by mafia. The survey also claim that no concrete steps have so far taken against these racket.
In the political field, the Congress state unit held a meeting on the “Save Constitution” campaign with its working committee and political affairs committee at the party office here. The AICC has decided to hold the campaign across the country from April 25 to 30. In Madhya Pradesh, the campaign will take-off from April 28, and a rally will take place in Gwalior.
Party state in-charge Harish Chaudhary and state president Jitu Patwari were present along with other senior Congress functionaries during the meeting on Tuesday. Following the guidelines of the party after the recent CWC (Congress Working Committee) meeting in Ahmedabad, the state unit installed a poster that said, “Jai Bapu-Jai Bham-Jai Samvidhan”.
Also, in the convention hall at the state party headquarters, no chairs were kept on the dais. Senior functionaries sat on the dais and homage was paid to party patriarchs with “suttki mala (garlands made of threads)”.
All the senior functionaries, executive members and district presidents of the Congress organization participated in the meeting. Strategic discussions were held on strengthening the organization, giving priority to people’s problems, and coming movements and campaigns of the party.
The focus, however, was on the upcoming Save Constitution campaign. It was decided that a “Constitution Bachao” rally will be organised in Madhya Pradesh from April 28 with a main rally in Gwalior. Thereafter, the campaign will spread across the state in three more phases.
Addressing Chaudhary said, “This campaign will prove to be decisive in stopping the attacks on the Constitution and making the public aware of their rights.” Patwari said, “Every worker should consider this movement as his responsibility and take the message of the Constitution to every village, every ward.”
This campaign will prove to be an important initiative in the direction of giving new energy to the organization, boosting the morale of the workers and strengthening public relations at the grassroots level, Patwari argued.
The first phase of the Samvidhan Bachao campaign will be held at the district levels from May 3 to May 10. Rallies will be organised by all district Congress committees in coordination with the state Congress headquarters.
Second phase of the campaign will be held from May 11 to 17 when the party will take people’s issues to the state assembly segments. In the final phase from May 20 to 30, the party plans to reach every house. Congress workers will go door-to-door and establish communication on issues like inflation, unemployment and violation of constitutional rights.
There is no end to factionalism in the ruling party of Madhya Pradesh. Latest is a BJP MLA Preetam Lodhi who alleged that there is conspiracy to kill him. Without naming the minister but people close to him know who is in his mind. They confided he was blaming Energy Minister Pradhuman Singh Tomar. He also alleged that the Police was recording his phone. The MLA’s allegation has caused sensation in the party. (IPA Service)
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