Congress leaders fear Digvijaya’s remarks may backfire badly for party:MLA Masood says, ‘Voters would seek answers’

A virtual meeting of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) witnessed a heated confrontation over senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s recent remarks concerning state Congress chief Jitu Patwari. Several party leaders strongly objected to Digvijaya’s comments, warning that such public statements would damage the party’s credibility and weaken its campaign against the ruling BJP government in the state. Following the controversy, Digvijaya Singh addressed a press conference, asserting that the Congress remained united in its fight against corruption. Digvijaya denies rift with Jitu Patwari Responding to speculation about differences within the party, Digvijaya Singh said there was an attempt to create the impression that he and Jitu Patwari were at odds. He clarified that he could never use the word “broker” for any Congress leader, including the state party president. According to Digvijaya, the word referred to a journalist named Bhupendra Dalal, who had published the report in question, and not to Jitu Patwari. He further said the Congress was fully united and would continue exposing alleged corruption involving Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his family. “We are still conducting research and gathering information about companies allegedly linked to the chief minister’s family. We are examining how these companies were allegedly used for financial irregularities,” he said. Jitu Patwari reiterates allegations over land leases Speaking at a separate press conference, Jitu Patwari alleged that trust-owned land worth crores of rupees was being leased for just Re 1, benefiting individuals associated with the RSS and the BJP. He claimed that the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust had been made a government trust by the Narendra Modi-led government and alleged that evidence of a ₹200 crore scam had emerged there. Patwari said the Congress’s primary political narrative was to expose alleged corruption involving the chief minister, his government, and ministers. He also alleged that the BJP had “betrayed people’s faith” from Ayodhya to Mahakal, claiming the chief minister’s family had amassed 365 acres of land. According to Patwari, media reports reflected only about five percent of the alleged land-related irregularities, while the Congress possessed more evidence. He announced that the party would launch an online portal within a week where citizens could submit information regarding the legal and alleged illegal assets of the chief minister, ministers, and their families. Arif Masood questions party’s public stand During the PAC meeting, Congress MLA Arif Masood questioned how the party could campaign on the issue after Digvijaya Singh publicly stated that the trust receiving the land was a government trust rather than a private one. Masood said party workers would struggle to answer voters if they were asked whether Jitu Patwari or Digvijaya Singh was correct. He stressed that the party needed a clear and unified stand before taking the issue to the public. Praveen Pathak warns remarks could damage party Former Congress MLA Praveen Pathak also criticised Digvijaya Singh’s remarks. He said party workers were fighting hard on the ground and that public criticism of the state party president by senior leaders would severely weaken the organisation. “If senior leaders undermine the party president’s position in public, how will we face the people? Such statements will ruin us,” Pathak said during the meeting. State in-charge Harish Chaudhary intervenes As the debate intensified, Madhya Pradesh Congress in-charge Harish Chaudhary intervened. He informed leaders that Jitu Patwari had already briefed the Congress high command about the controversy and that the matter had been referred to the All India Congress Committee (AICC). He said the party leadership in Delhi would take an appropriate decision soon. Background: What Digvijaya and Patwari had earlier said Earlier, while speaking in Barwani, Digvijaya Singh had said that Jitu Patwari did not have complete information about the matter and maintained that the trust which received the land was a government trust, not a private entity. Patwari, however, reiterated in Bhopal that he stood by his allegations and demanded that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav respond to the questions raised by the Congress. Congress finalises protest strategy despite internal differences Despite the internal disagreements, the PAC meeting concluded with the party finalising a statewide protest campaign against both the Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh government and the Central government. The Congress decided to launch phased agitations across the state on four major issues: 1. Ujjain land purchase case The party will campaign village by village, alleging serious irregularities in land purchases and accusing the state government of corruption. 2. NEET paper leak Congress will protest against both the Centre and the state government, demanding greater transparency in the examination system and accountability for the alleged paper leak. 3. CBSE examination irregularities The party will also launch protests over alleged administrative lapses and irregularities in CBSE examinations, describing the issue as one affecting students’ futures. 4. Fertiliser distribution issues Congress plans to organise demonstrations in rural areas over the alleged shortage and irregular distribution of fertilisers, highlighting the difficulties faced by farmers.