The Congress party's newfound assertiveness in the state indicates that the rumored informal truce between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh may be coming to an end.
For the first time in several years, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has taken to the streets in protest against the functioning of the BJP government in the state. This recent aggression comes as a surprise, as the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) had remained unenthused even when the Kamal Nath government was brought down in 2019.
Political observers feel that former chief minister Kamal Nath had an undeclared pact with then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and thus the state party unit never agitated strongly against the BJP government.
When Kamal Nath took over as chief minister in 2018, he told media persons that there was rampant corruption during the decade-long rule of the BJP in the state and that his government would form a commission to investigate the impropriety allegations. The Nath government remained in power for 18 months, but no such commission was announced.
In what observers cite as an example of a quid pro quo arrangement, Chouhan too made several counter-allegations after his return to power in 2019, but stopped short of initiating action. While Kamal Nath was vociferous in what he called the 'fraudulent toppling' of his government, the top Congress leader maintained cordial terms with Chouhan.
The two leaders met frequently, even after making allegaions and counter allegation. But all that seems to have come to an end since PCC chief Jitu Patwari's elevation to the helm of the party.
His term at the Congress state headquarters has seen a rejuvenation of party ranks in the state. Over a dozen statewide agitations have targeted the BJP government under Patwari's leadership.
Observers say that the immense pressure on the BJP government will reach palpable levels following the announcement of the party's state executive next month. While the criticism from observers seems a little too harsh, it cannot be denied that the Congress had shied away from taking on the BJP government despite a large number of issues over the last few years.
Taking full advantage of the eerie political silence that prevailed until his arrival on the scene in December last year, Patwari has taken center stage by adopting an aggressive stance against the state government.
While talking to The Pioneer, media in-charge for the Congress in the state, Mukesh Nayak, said the PCC is genuinely fighting against BJP rule. Those who never belonged to the Congress have left. Under Patwari's leadership, the Congress is fighting on the streets, and all senior party leaders are united, he added.
