"Digvijaya Singh is a very religious person and he's doing this
Parikrama to fulfil his religious commitments. Along the way, if he addresses people and exposes the BJP, it's good for the Congress party" said Kamal Nath today with pointed nonchalance about one third of the triangle that makes up the Congress leadership in Madhya Pradesh.
Off the record, though, the Congress is not so sanguine about what they now perceive as a negative headline generator. Digvijaya Singh's decision to walk 3,400 kms through Madhya Pradesh over the next six months is a clear bid to stay relevant at a time when the Gandhis have not indicated whether it will be him, Kamal Nath, or the considerably younger Jyotiraditya Scindia who will chief the party in Madhya Pradesh, due to vote end of next year.
The tussle for leadership, however subtle, threatens to undermine the Congress' attempt to prevent the BJP and Shivraj Singh Chouhan from a fourth consecutive term in power.
I asked Digvijaya Singh if this journey, which he describes as the equivalent of a pilgrimage around the River Narmada, is also an attempt at remarketing himself, given that he is seen as a key component of the Congress' long-standing outreach to Muslims. "Why are those who think I am irrelevant worried? I don't need to reinvent myself as I don't need a certificate from the BJP or the Sangh about my Hindu credentials. I am a deeply religious person and a very good Hindu, and it is incumbent upon Hindus to protect those weaker than themselves," he said on the phone.
Digvijaya Singh says he will not address press conferences or public meetings on his
Parikrama and limit himself to meeting people, but the party is still chary. Kamal Nath, 70, who has been extensively touring Madhya Pradesh and projecting himself as the Chief Ministerial face of the party and the next chief of the Congress in the state, says, "The people of MP are ready for a change. The situation has changed on the ground. The
hawa (wind) is blowing our way. When I address a public meeting now, you should see the response."
This is quite a change from just months ago when talk abounded of the nine-time MP being all set to defect to the BJP. But as reported in an
earlier column, for now, Kamal Nath, Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia are offering a party-first self-later picture of unity which was also underscored when the trio met Sonia Gandhi together.
Digvijaya Singh said today, "Kamal Nath and I have always been together" and then added dramatically, "We are one soul, divided by bodies". I expressed incredulity. He laughed, somewhat weakly.
The fact is that much remains unresolved. The Gandhis have yet to announce who will be chief of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). Kamal Nath told me a few weeks ago that if the party went with Jyotiraditya Scindia, he would be happy to work under him.
But this is his last shot at his dream job of being Chief Minister of MP and he is likely to go all out to ensure that it happens. Kamal Nath also commandeers the resources to ensure that the Congress party has a real chance at returning to power.
Sources say that initially both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were reluctant to announce a face as it would have meant more factionalism in the divided house but were persuaded by the three leaders to make a call. Sources say Jyotiradtiya Scindia, who is extremely close to Rahul Gandhi, is young and will get many chances in the future, which means Kamal Nath, who also cannot be faulted for dynasty, is likely to make chief.
Consider that Shivraj Singh Chouhan has often attacked Scindia for his background, referring to him as a
"maharaja" though both his (estranged) aunts are with the BJP.
Digvijaya Singh is clearly not in the running and has said he is willing to support anyone appointed by the congress president and Vice President as his loyalty to the party and the Gandhi family is "non-negotiable". He claimed today that he had a vision in 1998 about undertaking this
Parikrama and was only fulfilling a preordained mission. But he is making his rivals nervous given his mercurial personality and propensity to star in headlines and controversies. He also still has a huge hold on the party organisation and cadre after his two terms as Chief Minister which means neither Kamal Nath nor Jyotiraditya Scindia can be dismissive of him.
Sources say that the MP change will be announced along with Rahul Gandhi's elevation as Congress president, now that he has signaled (in Berkeley) that he's ready for the job. After that, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia will have to make good on their promise to cooperate in the party's campaign irrespective of who is named top Madhya Pradesh boss.
(Swati Chaturvedi is an author and a journalist who has worked with The Indian Express, The Statesman and The Hindustan Times.)Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.