By L S Herdenia
BHOPAL: Both Congress and BJP are facing major rift while trying to solve organizational matters. While former Congress Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh publicly stated that they are not at all consulted while decisions are taken about organization matters.
The BJP despite efforts are not able to finalize name of its district presidents. The party has not resolved serious difference between various leaders. Most serious are the difference between a senior minister Govind Singh Rajput and former minister Bhupendra Singh. There are also several serious differences between several MLAs and party leaders.
Former chief ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh expressed their annoyance at a virtual meeting of the state Congress political affairs committee.
Nath’s outburst came during a meeting to discuss preparations for Congress’ ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan Yatra’ that will be launched in Mhow, Dr BR Ambedkar’s birthplace, on January 26. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is likely to lead the march from Mhow.
According to sources, Nath said that he was not being consulted these days on appointments or when big events are being planned. “One may not accept or implement our suggestions, but seniors should be consulted,” he is believed to have said, supported by Digvijaya and former MP Meenakshi Natarajan. Senior leaders in the party are irate that state party media department appointments were announced last Friday without consulting them. Many of their supporters, who have been spokespersons for the party for long, have been dropped. However, with veterans expressing their displeasure, the list of 40 spokespersons was promptly withdrawn.
Defending the party, PCC spokesman Abbas Hafeez said, “Kamal Nathji is our most senior leader in the state. We are all connected to him. Congress party’s tradition is that senior leaders are always respected. If Kamal Nathji has expressed his anger, then we are all on the same platform and together the party will work for people of the state. Former chief minister Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh are very much the main patriarchs of the party and PCC chief Jitu Patwari is also required in the system.”
State BJP media cell chief Ashish Agarwal took a dig at Congress, saying: “Ever since Jitu Patwari took charge of the state unit, his only intention has been to damage the Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh factions. This is why Congress workers are leaving the party”.
AICC plans to launch ‘Jai Bapu, Jain Bheem, Jai Samvidhan Yatra’ from Mhow on Republic Day. Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and party national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will lead the march, along with former central ministers, former CMs, party MPs and other central leaders. BJP criticized the proposed rally, with Agarwal saying: “Those who killed the Constitution and always humiliated Babasaheb Ambedkar are today taking out the march from Mhow…”
As for BJP differences between leaders are being voiced publicly. Differences between Minister Govind Singh Rajput and former minister Bhupendra Singh are persisting for a long time. Some 12 ward members of Deori have lodged serious complaints against the president accusing chairman of hobbling with Congress. They met chief minister and several other ministers with their complaints. 12 ward members are being supported by local BJP MLA.
Serious differences have also come into open over the selection of presidents of state units. Particularly unanimity is not reaching in the selection of presidents of 12 districts. Now the Central leadership may be asked to intervene. The selection of state president has also become an uphill task. The term of current presidents has also ended. It is for the first time that the BJP is facing difficulty in organizational matters.
The BJP suffered a rude shock when leader’s BJP huge ill-gotten. wealth was found at the residence and establishment. The wealth was found by the Income Tax Department which launched a massive raid following several complaints. The Income Tax Departments found 14 kilos of gold from the residence of Harvans Singh, a former BJP MLA. Raid was also launched at the residence of Kesharvani a prominent BJP leader. The raid found documents involving Rs. 140 crores. The raid at Rathor’s residence recovered Rs. 3.80 crores in cash. It is for the first time that such a huge ill-gotten wealth was fond at BJP leader’s residences and establishment.
Prime Minister used to say that “न तो खाउंगा और न खाने दूंगा”. Now let us see what action Prime Minister takes. (IPA Service)