By Ashish Kurl
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Congress has been gripped by internal discord following a recent controversial statement by Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya, triggering divisions within the party’s State media department. In view of the seriousness of the situation, the central leadership has deputed Harish Choudhary, AICC General Secretary in charge of Madhya Pradesh, along with Sanjay Dutt, National Secretary in the Media Department, to intervene and restore order.
Party sources claim that more than 20 Congress spokespersons have signed a letter alleging that certain colleagues made derogatory remarks against Baraiya during television debates, thereby harming the party’s image. The letter reportedly further alleges that “RSS sleeper cells” have infiltrated the media department and are working against the party’s principles.
Earlier this week, a group of dissenting spokespersons met Dutt to present their concerns, though the meeting ended without any concrete outcome. Dutt returned to Bhopal on Wednesday afternoon in an effort to find an amicable resolution to the escalating dispute.
Some spokespersons have alleged that any move to dissolve or restructure the media department would be an attempt to silence them under alleged external pressure. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the party high command has directed senior leaders to maintain silence on the issue and work towards defusing tensions within the organisation.
The developments have underscored growing strains within the State unit at a politically sensitive time.
