In the first major action after its massive drubbing in recently held Assembly polls, the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Jitu Patwari has dissolved the State unit signalling a drastic overhaul. State In-charge Bhanwar Jitendra Singh said that after the review meeting, it has been decided to dissolve the State Executive. The District President and District Incharge will continue to work till further orders. A new executive will be formed soon, he added. The crucial meeting was attended by District Congress President, Districts in-charges and State officials. Internal factionalism was cited as a major reason behind the party’s defeat in the recent elections. The District President and in-charge raised the demand to announce the candidates name for the Lok Sabha elections much in advance as delayed announcement of candidates in Assembly polls has affected party’s prospects adversely in the elections.

 

They opined that the mistakes made in the Assembly elections should not be repeated in the Lok Sabha polls. There was a delay in candidate selection for the Assembly elections, due to which the party had to bear the brunt in the elections. Along with this, it has been said that the party should field bigwigs in the Lok Sabha elections. Along with State President Jitu Patwari, Congress in-charge Jitendra Singh, former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, former state presidents Suresh Pachauri, Kantilal Bhuria, Arun Yadav, CWC member Kamleshwar Patel, CEC member Omkar Markam, former Leader of Opposition Govind Singh were present in the meeting held at Congress’ State headquarters.

 

Resentment of the District President and District In-charges also erupted before the seniors. Most of the members said that appointments are made in the organisation, but the person incharge is not aware of it. He further said that in many districts some people have adopted a dictatorial attitude. There must be consultation with every member. Many leaders admired the BJP’s strategy and said that in Rajasthan, BJP picked a first-time MLA as Chief Minister. “We have lost not because of BJP but because of the Congress. Because those who did not get the ticket have tried their best to defeat the party candidate”, a member on condition of anonymity said. Talking to the media after the meeting, a senior leader said that Congress lost the Assembly elections due to factionalism. The BJP scored a resounding 163-seat victory in State Assembly polls held last month. The saffron party now holds a two-thirds majority with the Congress garnering merely 66 seats. After the defeat, the grand old party took an important decision. Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath was replaced with Jitu Patwari recently.