BHOPAL : The Congress, which is in the opposition for 15 years in the state, is turning increasingly aggressive as the 2018 assembly polls draw closer. However, two party heavy-weights Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia have come face-to-face on the issue of how to bring about the victory of the party in the elections. On Friday, Nath revealed his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ at Chhindwara. He said the party should enter the poll arena without projecting any chief ministerial face. On the other hand, Scindia has been consistently underlining the need for projecting someone as the party’s CM candidate.
Both the leaders have handed over their respective blueprints to the party high command. But as they differ widely, the party is finding it difficult to reach to any decision vis-à-vis the elections; with the result that different factions of the party are pulling in different directions.
Whether it is the farmers’ protest or the issue of rehabilitation of the Narmada oustees, the Congress has failed to take a united, strong stand.
Presently, there are four contenders in the race for emerging as the party’s chief ministerial face. Besides Nath and Scindia, they include LoP Ajay Singh and PCC chief Arun Yadav.
Suresh Pachauri, former PCC chief is trying to build a consensus between Scindia and Nath on the victory formula but that is yet to come about. Former chief minister Digvijay Singh is not in favour of projecting anyone as the chief ministerial face.
Former MLA and minister Mukesh Nayak says that Scindia was the most ‘effective’ face. But he said Nath’s statement that all Congressmen should face the BJP collectively should not be taken to mean that he was opposed to projecting a chief ministerial candidate. He said the party should draw a strategy for victory, keeping Scindia at the front.
Neelesh Awasthi, MLA and supporter of Nath says only the projection of his leader as the chief ministerial candidate can ensure Congress’ victory in the polls. He said Nath should be the face and all Congressmen should rally behind him and collectively try to ensure victory of the party.
Kamal Nath wants that the Congress should contest elections by dividing the state into sectors, with one leader being made responsible for each sector. Under his formula the heavy-weights should take the responsibility for ensuring the victory of the party in their respective zones of influence. He wants that the ticket distribution should be done with the consent of all the leaders. Even if a leader of another faction is in a position to win, his candidature should be supported and the leader in-charge of that sector should make all out efforts to ensure his victory.
Scindia is insistent that a chief ministerial face should be projected and under his leadership, a yatra should be taken out throughout the state against the BJP government. All leaders should support the Yatra. He also wants that a survey should be conducted in every assembly constituency to find out the popularity ratings of the CM and the candidates should be decided accordingly.
