Over the past few weeks, there has been a constant buzz around factionalism in the Congress, particularly in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. In the latter, competing statements by state Congress president Jitu Patwari and former Congress chief minister Digvijaya Singh were interpreted as evidence of an internal tussle, triggering a fresh news cycle around divisions within the state unit.
The episode began last month when Patwari cited a national daily's investigation into land purchases allegedly linked to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his associates in Ujjain. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Patwari alleged that government land worth nearly ₹500 crore in Ujjain had been allotted to the Veer Bharat Nyas trust for a token amount of ₹1 and claimed that one of the trustees was Shriram Tiwari, the chief minister's cultural adviser.
Days later, during his visit to Ujjain on June 27 and 28, senior Congress leader and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh publicly contradicted Patwari's allegations. The public disagreement immediately brought to fore the factional tussle within the party.
According to party sources, however, differences between the two leaders should not be mistaken for a full-fledged factional battle. Leaders close to Patwari point out that he was politically mentored by Digvijaya Singh and was brought into mainstream politics with Singh's support, making it unlikely for any confrontation.
Yet, several leaders acknowledge that multiple power centres exist within the Madhya Pradesh Congress. Digvijaya Singh, they say, remains keen to retain political relevance partly to secure the future of his son and former minister Jaivardhan Singh. Patwari, on the other hand, is trying to build an organisation and cadre base centred around his own leadership.
These competing ambitions have occasionally created friction not only between Patwari and Digvijaya Singh but also among other prominent leaders including Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and former state chief Arun Yadav.
"Some leaders have personal ambitions and are naturally working to secure their political futures, while others may differ on strategy and tactics. But all leaders are ultimately working for the party," a Congress legislator in the state said.
Party leaders argue that factionalism has long been a feature of the Congress and is hardly unique to Madhya Pradesh. What matters, they insist, is that organisational work has not suffered.
Several leaders point to the appointment of new district presidents and the energetic style of Patwari's leadership as signs that the party's grassroots connect has improved over the past year despite internal rivalries.
"Factionalism exists and recent developments have made it more visible," said a senior Congress leader. "But organisational activities continue without impediment. The party is in a better position than it was earlier, and that is what matters most."
Also, the party has resolved to work together on the upcoming bypoll in Datia where Congress is considered to be the front runner as it became vacant because of Congress leaders disqualification from the assembly.
Yet, the upcoming Datia by-election may provide the clearest test of whether the state unit can rise above factional considerations. The seat became vacant following the disqualification of a Congress legislator from the Assembly, and party leaders say there is broad agreement across camps to work together in what is seen as a favourable contest for the party.
