The growing discord between Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Jitu Patwari has become increasingly evident. The latest flashpoint surfaced when Patwari raised concerns over the alleged discrimination in the allocation of MLA LAD (Local Area Development) funds to Congress legislators, an issue traditionally championed by the LoP inside the Assembly.
Political observers view Patwari’s move as an implicit critique of Singhar’s performance in the House. His decision to bring this demand to the fore at the State Congress office, rather than within the legislative arena, underscores the internal fractures within the party. Sources suggest that several Congress legislators, frustrated by the lack of financial parity, approached Patwari, prompting him to take up the matter publicly.
Despite attempts to project unity, the ideological and strategic divergence between Singhar and Patwari is becoming increasingly conspicuous. The two leaders are often seen charting separate courses, their interactions appearing more performative than genuine. Only days ago, Singhar attended a Holi Milan event hosted by Patwari, where both leaders posed for photographs—an apparent effort to dispel murmurs of discontent. However, political observers argue that such orchestrations barely conceal the underlying tensions. Addressing the mediaperson, Patwari lambasted Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for what he termed a “blatant bias” in the allocation of development funds.
According to Patwari, BJP MLAs have each received `15 Crore for their constituencies, while Congress legislators have been unfairly sidelined. He urged Yadav to uphold his constitutional obligations and ensure equitable distribution of funds for all Assembly constituencies, irrespective of political affiliations. Contrary to Patwari’s claims, however, official records indicate that MLA LAD in Madhya Pradesh is capped at `2.50 Crore. While additional funds may be routed through other state-sponsored schemes, the assertion of `15 Crore per BJP constituency lacks corroborative evidence. The underlying power struggle within the Congress camp is hardly surprising. With the party still reeling from its electoral setbacks, factionalism has intensified.
Singhar, as LoP, is expected to be the primary voice of opposition in the Assembly, yet Patwari’s overt intervention suggests a lack of confidence in his leadership. The unfolding developments indicate that Congress’s internal strife may prove just as formidable a challenge as the ruling BJP in the coming months.
As Madhya Pradesh navigates its political landscape, the Congress high command will need to address these rifts before they further erode the party’s credibility. With Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, a fractured leadership could cost the party dearly, providing the BJP with an unchallenged stronghold in the state.
