Party is in a wait-and-watch mode as several leaders are deserting the Cong.
The Congress leadership in Madhya Pradesh, led by state president Jitu Patwari and in-charge Jitendra Singh, has delayed the formation of the party’s state executive body. Sources suggest that there is no activity or plan to constitute the body anytime soon.
The reason, according to officials in the party, is that the leadership is in a wait-and-watch mode as several party leaders are deserting the Congress. A Congress spokesperson, seeking anonymity, said, “Since some leaders are confused about their future in the party, and some are already leaving, constituting the executive body with such confused leaders will be detrimental for the momentum of the party. If an X person is made office bearer and he leaves after that, it would be embarrassing for the party.
Therefore, the two leaders are in touch with each other and have come to the conclusion that when everything is stable and transparent, the executive body should be formed. Even if it takes time, we can form it after the general elections. Moreover, those who are leaving are free to leave and there will be no insistence from the leadership to hold them back.”
This is being done as the inclusion of Congress loyalists in the executive body will infuse fervour in the party’s rank and file. The party leaders also suggest that there is a plan to balance the state unit between the old guard and the young Turks. A senior leader said, “The formation of the new body should send a message across that the state leadership is willing to shed the dead wood and is ready to give space to the youth. The overall image of the party should reflect that it is a party of the young. Also, we are promoting the youth so that it becomes evident that the party is not neglecting the people who have worked for the party.”
The state leadership has also tried to shortlist most of the candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, who are less than 50 years of age. A leader said “Among the already declared ten candidates in the state, 9 are younger than 50 years.”
Meanwhile, Congress veteran Kamal Nath has been confined to his bastion Chhindwara, without having much say in party affairs. According to leaders aware of his activities, Nath is campaigning (with his team) in Chhindwara where his son Nakul Nath was given a ticket by Congress.
However, sources say that another veteran and ex Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh is still in a position to make consequential decisions in the state unit’s ecosystem. A Congress leader said, “The party wants to field him from Guna Lok Sabha constituency against the BJP candidate Jyotiraditya Scindia, however his close associates are saying that he is not willing to contest. Even then he has said that he is willing to do what his party decides. The Rajgarh seat can be given to him if he chooses to contest from another seat.”