DNA Edit: Dangerous limits - Congress infighting in MP has turned fratricidal

One of the principal reasons for Congress’s ruin is infighting. While internal dissent in political parties is evidence of life and democracy, if pushed beyond a point, it ceases to be healthy. To say that the Madhya Pradesh Congress is beset with internal bickering and infighting is to understate the point. It has now reached a stage of no-return.

Congress formed the government with the support of independents and small parties after 15 years in wilderness. The trio of Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia managed to checkmate the BJP when it came to government formation.

However, within eight months cracks have appeared. Nath continues to be chief minister and state party president. This hasn’t gone down well with Scindia supporters, who want the party high command to appoint him as state president.

They argue that if Priyanka Gandhi can be made full in-charge of UP after the poll debacle, why can’t he, despite the Lok Sabha loss? Scindia supporters allege Singh and Nath have ganged up to corner a majority of the ministerial positions, in addition to eyeing the party president’s post. After losing his Lok Sabha seat, Scindia is rattled at this gang-up.

He has gone to the extent of attacking the Nath government for not cracking the whip on illegal mining. He is being branded as a rebel by the opposition camp, citing his support for the abrogation of Article 370. Singh has asked Sonia Gandhi to intervene in the matter and take action for indiscipline against his junior colleague.

Other Congress MLAs are also airing their grievances publicly. All this has provided fodder to the BJP, which has been raring to topple the Nath government that enjoys a wafer-thin majority. Sonia has called a meeting next week to hammer out differences, but given Madhya Pradesh’s history, it is going to be easier said than done.