NEW DELHI: Congress has reviewed Madhya Pradesh Lok Sabha election performance and will start the ‘Manthan’ program to identify serious party members.
As the Madhya Pradesh Lok Sabha election is over, the Congress party gathered for a review meeting this week to “collect data” on the performance of the candidates who contested this year and decided to start “Manthan” (Hindi word for contemplation) from June this year.
A source privy to the developments in the state said, “We had a meeting where it was decided that we should start a new program from June 15 June to August 15 so that we can streamline the people who are serious about the party affairs. And also keep the non-serious people away from party positions.”
He also said that everyone was present in the meeting except Nakul Nath, son of senior leader Kamal Nath. But his father did attend the meeting. Some candidates said that the administration helped the ruling camp and prevented people from voting, others said to be cautious and tally the votes with the data of the total votes polled.
The “Manthan”, according to leaders, will work as a launching pad for party members who are pursuing to become a part of a bigger political landscape. A state-level workshop will be organised, where the feedback of leaders who have worked on the ground will be assessed and the hardworking members of the party will be rewarded with better positions or promotions. However, those who have not worked hard enough will still be an office bearer, while those who worked against the party will be given appropriate punishment.
For a long time, there have been rumblings among the senior leaders in the state that the party has been facing setbacks because of some leaders, who are working for the saffron camp while being in the grand old party. However, such an understanding was staved off by the top two leaders of the state, in-charge Bhawar Jitendra Singh and state unit president Jitu Patwari, who implied that those who were working with the BJP had already left the party. And because of their exit, the party would now be able to make an impact.
According to party insiders, there will be the formation of the executive body of the state unit.
A Congress spokesperson said, “The aim is set for the next assembly elections. This time there is less involvement of senior leaders like Kamal Nath, although Digvijay Singh is still in the scene. The leadership takes his views on several decisions. But, they have an independent space for themselves, as to who to take along and who not to. For now, it seems that the whole cadre is gradually aligning itself towards Jitu Patwari. And the infighting has gone down.”