Congress holds its cards tight in Madhya Pradesh

With the issue of Madhya Pradesh Chief Ministerial candidate a ticklish affair, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday refused to suggest a name for the top post if his party wins the Assembly elections.

"Once Congress is voted to power it's up to the leaders to decide on CM's post," was the refrain of the Union Minister when asked by PTI.

His emphasis was that the first priority of Congress was to end the 'misrule' of the BJP.

"Our aim is to root out the existing BJP government in Madhya Pradesh for its poor performance and anti-people policies," Scindia said.

He dismissed as 'hypothetical' reports suggesting that he was a contender for the top post in the state.

"I becoming the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh is hypothetical. I feel, efforts should be to ensure that Congress comes to power in the state," he said.
 
Besides Scindia, the names of Pradesh Congress Committee chief Suresh Pachouri, Union Minister Kamal Nath, AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh are doing the rounds for the Chief Ministership if the party is voted to power in the state.

Attacking the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government as 'corrupt', he said: "People are fed up with the poor policies and implementation of schemes in Madhya Pradesh. They want change in the state and in power."

Scindia has started an exhaustive door-to-door poll campaign in the state and address a number of public meetings.

"I am going on an intensive campaigning for the state polls and will be visiting around 100 constituencies and conduct local meetings to make the people aware about the failure of BJP government and other development related issues," he said.

Scindia represents Guna constituency of Madhya Pradesh in the Lok Sabha.

The assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh are due on November 27, and political parties are campaigning in full swing across the state.

The Congress party has roped in senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Pachouri as Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief. On the other hand, BJP is banking on its senior leaders to capture people's votes.

The Congress party has ruled the state for 10 years between 1993 and 2003 under the chief ministership of AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh.

"Congress party has always put welfare of people first. The BJP government is badly in grip of corruption. I want the state to get rid of this tainted government," Scindia added.