Controversy erupts over Indore Congress chief’s remark over Digvijaya:PCC chief Patwari stresses party’s single policy; PC Sharma asserts no power can prevent Singh from visiting affected people

A fresh controversy has erupted within the Congress in Indore after city unit president Chintu Chouksey raised objections to former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh’s visit to the Sheetla Mata temple area, where eviction of certain community employees and shopkeepers had taken place. The remarks created friction within the party, drawing responses from senior leaders who defended Singh. Dispute over eviction and Singh’s visit The issue began after employees of a particular community were removed from shops in the Sheetla Mata temple locality. On Saturday, Digvijaya Singh reached the area to meet the displaced employees and shopkeepers. However, police did not allow Singh to enter the temple premises, and protests were staged against his arrival. The incident soon triggered debate within the Congress itself. Chintu Chouksey voices objection During a district-level coordination committee meeting on Sunday, Indore Congress president Chintu Chouksey expressed unhappiness over Singh’s visit, saying that senior leaders often come without informing the local unit. “Leaders from Bhopal and outside come and organize programs without any prior notice at their own level,” Chouksey said in the meeting. Patwari and Sharma rally behind singh State Congress president Jitu Patwari defended Singh, saying he too had gone to protest the eviction. “I myself went to oppose the eviction of employees. Digvijaya Singh also went. Congress and the Constitution have one policy — to protect the rights of citizens,” Patwari said. Former minister PC Sharma also backed Singh. “Digvijaya Singh is a former CM, Rajya Sabha member and senior AICC leader. He went to Sheetla Mata to offer prayers but was stopped. Some people want to create division in society. He went to oppose that,” Sharma stated. City Congress chief downplays his remark When asked about his statement later, Chouksey played down the matter, saying, “That issue is over. It was said in the coordination meeting and was not meant to come out. The subject is closed.” Organizational in-charge stresses protocol Congress organization in-charge Sanjay Kamle clarified that it is the responsibility of the district president to coordinate senior leaders’ visits. “Major leaders like Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh, Arun Yadav, and Kamleshwar Patel usually release official schedules. Even if information is missed, it is the duty of the district chief to receive them, accompany them, and ensure protocol,” Kamle said. He added that no official complaint had been filed regarding Chouksey’s remarks. Patwari slams administration Patwari also attacked the local administration over its handling of the Sheetla Mata temple issue. “The administration seems to be functioning as a servant of the BJP. Collectors, commissioners, SPs, and station in-charges should remember that if they act against the Constitution, their record will reflect it in three years,” he warned. Patwari further questioned why the son of BJP leader Gaur had not been arrested in the case. Arun Yadav’s indirect dig Former PCC president Arun Yadav, without naming anyone, took to social media and wrote: For the party and its ideology, both ideological and grassroots struggle is the need of the hour. Merely relying on speeches and statements will not counter poisonous ideologies. Only unity and collective struggle will help us achieve our dream of forming government in Madhya Pradesh.