Scindia, Arjun unamused by Digvijay’s fable

INDORE, Oct 6: The political conference held by the Madhya Pradesh Congress today continued to be dogged by the fable of the wandering dog,...

INDORE, Oct 6: The political conference held by the Madhya Pradesh Congress today continued to be dogged by the fable of the wandering dog, narrated by Chief Minister Digvijay Singh at the inaugural function yesterday. The storm that resulted forced Digvijay to give a lengthy explanation of his remark in his concluding speech this afternoon.

Yesterday, the Chief Minister had told the meeting about a dog which was hounded by its own community but taken good care of by others. In an appeal made in the presence of Congress chief Sitaram Kesri, he had said, “We can deal with our enemies, you only save us from our friends.”

The intent of the remark, coming soon after Madhavrao Scindia’s speech referring to the lack of rapport between the Congress and the people, had not been lost on the gathering. Not only Scindia but Arjun Singh too had taken offence, having made some critical remarks earlier on the functioning of the Madhya Pradesh government.

Story continues below this ad

Both stayed away from the tea party hosted by Digvijay for party leaders last evening. Partymen owing allegiance to Scindia reportedly questioned the Chief Minister about his reaction, saying Scindia’s remarks had been more in the nature of introspection than a censure. Digvijay’s fable also cast a shadow over the conference discussions last evening and today.

A former State minister belonging to the Arjun camp created an uproar when he referred to Digvijay’s “Jan Sangh background”. Another delegate went on to narrate an incident from Mahatma Gandhi’s life, stressing that “one should first correct one’s own faults before asking others to do so”.

Pushed to the defensive, the Chief Minister claimed in his concluding speech that his fable had not been interpreted correctly. “I did not allude to any individual (in my remark),” he said. “I was only referring to the self-destructive tendency among political parties.”

Digvijay also said the guidance of “senior leaders” like Arjun, Shyama Charan Shukla, Scindia and Kamal Nath was “constantly needed” by the party and that yesterday’s speeches by Arjun Singh and Scindia had been “very constructive”. The Chief Minister also echoed Arjun’s views on the need to make those left out during the organisational elections feel part of the party. Scindia and Arjun, however, were not there to listen to this climbdown as neither stayed for today’s session. Ministers loyal to Scindia were also missing.

Story continues below this ad

On the corruption front, Digvijay said that it could not be rooted out till the system was changed. Talking about his government’s refusal to grant permission to the Lokayukta to prosecute two ministers in the Jabalpur land scam, Digvijay said that was because the ministers were found to have been “misled by officials”.