Although the Madhya Pradesh forest minister Umang Singhar who called senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh 'a blackmailer' has gone quiet after a late evening meeting with chief minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday, the politics on the issue is far from over.
Now, ex-union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has fuelled the controversy, saying that issues taken up by Singhar should be heard and looked into and no one should interfere with running of the government. Chief minister Kamal Nath has, however, made it clear that there was no confusion regarding post of chief minister in Madhya Pradesh and that he consults different leaders on governance matters from time to time, including Digvijaya Singh who is ex-CM and former state chief of Congress.
Singhar had while attacking Digvijaya Singh, charged him with interfering in government functioning and creating pressures for his (Singh's) personal benefits.
Speaking at a public function in Gwalior, Scindia said if differences have cropped among two leaders, it is the responsibility of the chief minister to sit down both the parties (Singhar and Digvijaya) and resolve the matter.
The ex-union minister added that the Congress government has been formed in MP after severe struggle of 15 years. Only months have passed and people have lot of expectations from the government.
Meanwhile, Singhar himself said on Wednesday that he had spoken his views on party forum and has nothing more to add on the issue. He added that the party stands strong and there is no constitutional crisis.
In Bhopal meanwhile, the supporters of Digvijaya Singh demonstrated before the house of Umang Singhar, burnt his effigy and demanded his removal from the party.
'No confusion on CM'
Kamal Nath has also issued a detailed statement on the issue, especially targeting BJP's allegations and saying that there was no confusion whatsoever in context of post of chief minister in Madhya Pradesh. “As the chief minister, I hold the reins of the government in MP and I am fully capable of fulfilling my responsibilities and duties. The rumours spread by BJP are totally baseless,” Nath said in a statement released to the media.
The BJP leaders have been saying that the Congress high command should make it clear who was running the government in MP. Kamal Nath added that he has enough governance experience by the virtue of having been the union ministers for several terms, yet he keeps consulting different leaders and people for the welfare of the state.
“Digvijaya Singh has been CM of MP for 10 years, he was also the PCC chief. I seek his views and opinions from time to take benefit of his experience. I also consult other ex-CMs, ex-PCC chiefs, the Congress national leadership and other leaders from time to time. I am of the view that at any age, one should seek opinions and advise at any age. No one becomes small by seeking knowledge or advise. Welfare of state is highest priority for me and for that I do think twice about seeking advise or opinion from anyone,” the CM said.
He added that it is the BJP where several power centres operate and try to remote control the government, but it is not so with the Congress. The BJP is merely trying to mislead the people and take away their attention from the revolutionary welfare decisions of the Congress government.
