Bhopal: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s recent Madhya Pradesh visit provided the much-needed impetus to Congressmen in the state but containing groupism and declaring party tickets by July will be a daunting task for the faction-ridden outfit, party sources said.
As part of energising Congress workers in the state where assembly elections are due in November, Rahul visited Mohankheda and Bhopal to interact with party leaders and workers to have a feel of the party nerve.
The Congress heir-apparent began his visit from the famous Jain pilgrimage spot, Mohankheda situated on the border of tribal-dominated Dhar-Jhabua district and sought the blessings of noted Jain saint, Rishabh Chandra Vijayji Maharaj.
Addressing Congressmen, Rahul admitted that groupism is a problem plaguing the party and senior leaders have to sink their differences to ensure the party’s victory in the crucial 2013 assembly polls, party sources told PTI on Friday.
“While Rahul was harping on unity among party leaders at the top level, the bonhomie was missing among those present at the spot,” they said.
There are four major leaders in the state –Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kamal Nath, Union Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge) Jyotiraditya Scindia and former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri.
The supporters of Scindia were quite vocal at both Mohankheda and also at Bhopal demanding to project him as the Chief Ministerial candidate, the sources said. The party workers specially highlighted the prevailing groupism in the party and urged him to address the problem at the earliest.
Addressing workers, Rahul asked the party men to forget Congress’ defeat in 2003 and 2008 assembly elections and devote themselves with full determination and vigour to ensure party’s victory in 2013.
“The next assembly election in Madhya Pradesh is a big challenge for every Congressman,” Rahul said.
Rahul also took the feedback of the partymen on making the “Mission-2013” (regaining power in MP) possible and gave advice wherever possible, the sources said. The Congress Vice President assured the partymen that in 2013 polls, their views would be given due weightage while finalising tickets for the assembly seats which will be given this time by July-August. Though Congress leaders welcomed the decision of giving party tickets earlier, they were skeptical whether it is practically possible or not. Secondly, number of them were of the view that it may also mire chances of the shortlisted candidate as those aspirants who remained unsuccessful in getting the party ticket will get enough time to sabotage the prospects of the one who bagged it. Rahul held parleys with the party leaders from 15 Lok Sabha seats in Mohankheda and from 14 Lower House seats in Bhopal to feel the pulse of the scenario in the state. (PTI)