Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday contradicted state party chief Jitu Patwari's allegation of a Rs 500 crore scam in the Mohan Yadav government, exposing a fresh rift within the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit. The disagreement came to light after Patwari had claimed that the state government was involved in a major financial irregularity involving Rs 500 crore.
Digvijaya Singh's Remarks Dismiss Patwari's Claim
Speaking to reporters in Bhopal, Digvijaya Singh said, "I am not aware of any such scam. If there is evidence, it should be presented to the public. Otherwise, such allegations without proof only harm the party's credibility." He further advised party leaders to avoid making unsubstantiated claims. Singh, a former chief minister, emphasized that the Congress should focus on issues like unemployment and inflation rather than levelling baseless charges.
Jitu Patwari's Allegation
Earlier, Jitu Patwari had alleged that the Mohan Yadav government had misappropriated Rs 500 crore through a dubious scheme related to the Public Distribution System. He claimed that the funds were diverted to private accounts and demanded a high-level investigation. Patwari had also threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the government did not act on the matter.
Fresh Rift in MP Congress
The contradiction highlights the ongoing factionalism within the Madhya Pradesh Congress. Digvijaya Singh and Jitu Patwari belong to different factions, with Singh being a veteran leader and Patwari representing the younger generation. This is not the first time the two have disagreed publicly. In the past, they have clashed over strategy and leadership issues. Political analysts say that such internal conflicts could hurt the party's prospects in the upcoming assembly elections.
BJP Responds to Congress Infighting
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party seized on the rift, with state minister Vishwas Sarang saying, "The Congress is busy fighting among themselves instead of focusing on development. This shows their lack of unity and vision." He added that the government was ready to face any probe into the alleged scam but dismissed it as a baseless accusation.
Impact on Congress's Poll Preparations
The Congress is gearing up for the 2028 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, and such internal discord could undermine its campaign. The party has been trying to project a united front against the BJP, but recent events suggest otherwise. Meanwhile, the opposition party has called a meeting of its core committee to discuss the issue and mend fences.
