Published 19:11 IST, September 15th 2019
Congress leader Scindia visits residences of various party workers
Congress leader Scindia visits residences of party workers to allegedly garner support for his claim to the post of MPCC President amidst rift with Kamal Nath.
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Amid the growing uncertainty over the appointment of Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia visited the residence of various party workers in Indore on September 15. The Congress leader, who lost Lok Sabha election from Guna, is being considered as a strong contender for the post.
Scrambling for support
Scindia's visit sparked speculations that he might have reached out to local party leaders and activist to garner their support for the job, with the Congress leader saying he is always present among the people of Madhya Pradesh.
"I am always in Madhya Pradesh. There is no question of coming back," he said when asked he was planning to return to the state politics.
In July, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi made Jyotiraditya Scindia the chairman of the screening committee for Maharashtra ahead of the Assembly elections. Prior to that, during the Lok Sabha 2019 elections, Scindia was handling the responsibility of West Uttar Pradesh.
Last week, after CM Kamal Nath met Sonia Gandhi, Scindia was reportedly expected to meet the Congress interim president. The meeting, however, was later postponed. Scindia later refuted the talk of meeting with Gandhi and said that he was focusing on Maharashtra Assembly elections.
"I did not ask for time with Sonia Gandhi. At present I am focussing on Maharashtra elections," he had said.
Congress Madhya Pradesh rift
Sonia Gandhi had last week, sought a report in 10 days from the state in-charge Deepak Babaria over the infighting in Madhya Pradesh and leaders demanding Jyotiraditya Scindia's appointment as the state chief through the media. The post of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president is currently held by Chief Minister Kamal Nath who, as many believe, wants his man for the job. Reportedly, Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier given an ultimatum to the party that he will resign if not made MPCC head.
Earlier, Jyotiraditya Scindia was in the race for the chief ministerial position for the state after the Congress won the state elections by ousting the BJP government. However, longtime party loyalist, Kamal Nath was named for the post.
17:09 IST, September 15th 2019