Tag: Digvijaya Singh

  • ‘Last election of my life…’: Digvijaya Singh to retire from electoral politics after 2024 LS polls – The Economic Times Video

    Former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh, 77, shared a personal story about meeting a respected local merchant in Raghogarh after his father’s death. The merchant’s advice emphasised life goals like earning, saving for jewellery and a house, and making a name for oneself. Singh said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections would be the “last election of his life”.

  • 'Rahul Gandhi is not a big leader…': Congress leader Digvijay Singh's brother

    'Rahul Gandhi is not a big leader…': Congress leader Digvijay Singh's brother

  • MP police register case against Digvijaya Singh over controversial post on ex-RSS chief Golwalkar

    By PTI

    INDORE: The Indore police have registered a case against Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh for allegedly sharing a controversial post on former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief MS Golwalkar on social media, an official said on Sunday.

    Following a complaint filed by local lawyer and RSS worker Rajesh Joshi, the FIR was registered on Saturday night against Singh under Indian Penal Code sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence), 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (defamation) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), said the official from Tukoganj police station.

    In his complaint, Joshi alleged that Singh had shared a controversial poster on Facebook bearing the name and picture of “Guruji” (as Golwalkar was popularly named) to incite people by creating conflict among Dalits, backward classes, Muslims and Hindus, as per the FIR.

    The complaint claimed Singh’s Facebook post on Golwalkar allegedly hurt the religious beliefs of Sangh workers and the entire Hindu community, according to the FIR registered by police here in Madhya Pradesh.

    In a statement sent to the media, a local Sangh official alleged that Singh had made a “false and unwarranted post” about Golwalkar on social media to tarnish the organisation’s image.

    Singh on Saturday tweeted a picture of a page carrying several controversial comments quoted to the former RSS head, known as Guruji among his admirers.

    Golwalkar was quoted as saying that he would rather live under British rule than have equal rights given to Dalits, backwards and Muslims.

    Some other controversial comments were also attributed to him.

    Following the post, senior RSS functionary and its publicity department head Sunil Ambekar accused the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister of posting a “photoshopped” image.

    It is baseless and is meant to cause social disharmony, he said, adding that ‘Guruji’ never made such remarks.

    His life was spent removing social discrimination, he added.

    Golwalkar was the longest-serving RSS chief and was at the helm of the organisation from 1940-73.

    INDORE: The Indore police have registered a case against Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh for allegedly sharing a controversial post on former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief MS Golwalkar on social media, an official said on Sunday.

    Following a complaint filed by local lawyer and RSS worker Rajesh Joshi, the FIR was registered on Saturday night against Singh under Indian Penal Code sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence), 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (defamation) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), said the official from Tukoganj police station.

    In his complaint, Joshi alleged that Singh had shared a controversial poster on Facebook bearing the name and picture of “Guruji” (as Golwalkar was popularly named) to incite people by creating conflict among Dalits, backward classes, Muslims and Hindus, as per the FIR.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The complaint claimed Singh’s Facebook post on Golwalkar allegedly hurt the religious beliefs of Sangh workers and the entire Hindu community, according to the FIR registered by police here in Madhya Pradesh.

    In a statement sent to the media, a local Sangh official alleged that Singh had made a “false and unwarranted post” about Golwalkar on social media to tarnish the organisation’s image.

    Singh on Saturday tweeted a picture of a page carrying several controversial comments quoted to the former RSS head, known as Guruji among his admirers.

    Golwalkar was quoted as saying that he would rather live under British rule than have equal rights given to Dalits, backwards and Muslims.

    Some other controversial comments were also attributed to him.

    Following the post, senior RSS functionary and its publicity department head Sunil Ambekar accused the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister of posting a “photoshopped” image.

    It is baseless and is meant to cause social disharmony, he said, adding that ‘Guruji’ never made such remarks.

    His life was spent removing social discrimination, he added.

    Golwalkar was the longest-serving RSS chief and was at the helm of the organisation from 1940-73.

  • BJP & Congress trade barbs as Germany takes note of Rahul’s disqualification from Lok Sabha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As Germany took note of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha, the BJP on Thursday accused the Congress of “inviting foreign powers” for interference in India’s internal matters and the Opposition party hit back, alleging that its rival was attempting to divert attention from the Adani issue.

    In a tweet Thursday, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh thanked German foreign ministry and Richard Walker, Chief International Editor of Deutsche Welle, for “taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through the persecution of Rahul Gandhi”. He tagged a tweet by Walker in which the senior journalist had posted a video of a German foreign ministry spokesperson reacting to Gandhi’s disqualification.

    At a press briefing, Germany’s foreign ministry spokesperson said, “We have taken note of the verdict of first instance against Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate. To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

    Germany expects that “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, the spokesperson added.

    A host of BJP leaders attacked the Congress and Singh, accusing the party of inviting foreign interference in internal affairs.

    Sharing a screenshot of Digivijaya Singh’s tweet, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters. Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji,” Rijiju said.

    Hitting back at Rijiju, Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera said, “Mr. Rijiju, why divert from the main issue? The issue is that the Prime Minister cannot answer Rahul Gandhi’s questions about Adani.” Instead of “misleading” people, please answer the questions, Khera said.

    BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya also tagged Singh’s tweet and said, “Shameful that Congress continues to lean on foreign agencies and seek their intervention in India’s internal affairs. Rahul Gandhi had recently sought Europe and US intervention and now it is Digvijay Singh. But Law is the Law- Unless somebody thinks Law is not the Law for them,” he said.

    BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also hit out at the Congress, alleging that the party “celebrating Germany/U.S. remarks on Rahul Gandhi’s case shows their political desperation”.

    “Rejected by Indian voters now looking for acceptance by foreign powers is sad reality of Congress! Judiciary must take note of daily maligning of courts by Congress brigade!” he said.

    Tagging Singh’s tweet, BJP leader Vijay Chauthaiwale said on Twitter, “Look how happy @digvijaya_28 ji with comments from Germany. It only shows how they are desperate to involve external agencies in the domestic matters.”

    Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha on March 23 after a court in Gujarat’s Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case.

    Earlier this week, a US state department official had said the United States is watching the court case of Rahul Gandhi.

    The official had observed that the US continues to engage with India on the shared commitment towards democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression.

    NEW DELHI: As Germany took note of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha, the BJP on Thursday accused the Congress of “inviting foreign powers” for interference in India’s internal matters and the Opposition party hit back, alleging that its rival was attempting to divert attention from the Adani issue.

    In a tweet Thursday, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh thanked German foreign ministry and Richard Walker, Chief International Editor of Deutsche Welle, for “taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through the persecution of Rahul Gandhi”. He tagged a tweet by Walker in which the senior journalist had posted a video of a German foreign ministry spokesperson reacting to Gandhi’s disqualification.

    At a press briefing, Germany’s foreign ministry spokesperson said, “We have taken note of the verdict of first instance against Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate. To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Germany expects that “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, the spokesperson added.

    A host of BJP leaders attacked the Congress and Singh, accusing the party of inviting foreign interference in internal affairs.

    Sharing a screenshot of Digivijaya Singh’s tweet, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters. Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji,” Rijiju said.

    Hitting back at Rijiju, Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera said, “Mr. Rijiju, why divert from the main issue? The issue is that the Prime Minister cannot answer Rahul Gandhi’s questions about Adani.” Instead of “misleading” people, please answer the questions, Khera said.

    BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya also tagged Singh’s tweet and said, “Shameful that Congress continues to lean on foreign agencies and seek their intervention in India’s internal affairs. Rahul Gandhi had recently sought Europe and US intervention and now it is Digvijay Singh. But Law is the Law- Unless somebody thinks Law is not the Law for them,” he said.

    BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also hit out at the Congress, alleging that the party “celebrating Germany/U.S. remarks on Rahul Gandhi’s case shows their political desperation”.

    “Rejected by Indian voters now looking for acceptance by foreign powers is sad reality of Congress! Judiciary must take note of daily maligning of courts by Congress brigade!” he said.

    Tagging Singh’s tweet, BJP leader Vijay Chauthaiwale said on Twitter, “Look how happy @digvijaya_28 ji with comments from Germany. It only shows how they are desperate to involve external agencies in the domestic matters.”

    Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha on March 23 after a court in Gujarat’s Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case.

    Earlier this week, a US state department official had said the United States is watching the court case of Rahul Gandhi.

    The official had observed that the US continues to engage with India on the shared commitment towards democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression.

  • Congress conundrum: Gehlot stays closeted with his confidantes at Jaipur; delays meeting Sonia

    Express News Service

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot remained closeted with his confidantes in Jaipur on Wednesday thereby delaying his meeting with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi by a day while Rahul Gandhi contiued with his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    Gehlot was originally scheduled to leave Jaipur at 5.30 PM on Wednesday. But his departure was delayed. “The Chief Minister is going to Delhi at 5-5.30 pm today to express the feelings of 102 MLAs, as their guardian, with the party leadership and organisation,” cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas told reporters after a meeting with the chief minister.

    Besides Khachariyawas, Assembly Speaker C P Joshi, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra, Minister Shanti Dhariwal, and Mahesh Joshi also met the chief minister.

    Gehlot reached Delhi late on Wednesday late night. He is expected to meet Sonia today.Gehlot appears to be on the offensive despite the High Command reportedly bracing up to crack the whip on Gehlot loyalists’ and ministers Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi. The two spearheaded the protest against signing the resolution authorising Sonia Gandhi to appoint a new Chief Minister after Gehlot files the nomination papers for the party presidential polls. Gehlot and his loyalists are figjting tooth and nail the high command’s move to make Sachin Pilot as Rajasthan Chief Minister if Gehlot goes on to become party president.

    Gehlot is not averse to giving up chief ministership and entering the presidential race. But he does not want to hand over charge in the state to Pilot. He says he would hand over the chief ministership to anyone from the 102 MLAs who had stayed loyal to the party when Pilot had walked out, but not the latter.

    As suspense over whether or not Gehlot would agree to resign from the post of chief minister to file the nomination continues, names of many Congress leaders who are likely aspirants for the post have started doing the rounds. Among them are the party’s top Dalit leaders including, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, and former Haryana president of Congress Kumari Selja.

    ALSO READ| Rajasthan political crisis: Congress in a quandary even as it shows Gehlot his place

    Gandhi family loyalists Ambika Soni, who is considered close to Sonia Gandhi, and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh, who shares a close personal equation with Rahul Gandhi, are also among the frontrunners. Party treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal’s name is also being mentioned as a possible contender for the post after he took a nomination form from the Congress office.

    On Wednesday, Sonia Gandhi consulted senior party leaders Ambika Soni and A K Antony, who was called from Kerala where he is leading a retired life, on the Rajasthan crisis. She was advised to meet Gehlot one last time to try and iron out the differences.

    The two central observers – Ajay Maken and Mallikarjun Kharge – have shielded Gehlot in their report after returning from Jaipur where they were not able to meet the party MLAs loyal to the chief minister. These MLAs are opposed to the leadership’s plan to replace Gehlot with his former deputy Sachin Pilot and refused to sign a resolution authorising the party president to choose Gehlot’s successor.

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot remained closeted with his confidantes in Jaipur on Wednesday thereby delaying his meeting with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi by a day while Rahul Gandhi contiued with his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    Gehlot was originally scheduled to leave Jaipur at 5.30 PM on Wednesday. But his departure was delayed. “The Chief Minister is going to Delhi at 5-5.30 pm today to express the feelings of 102 MLAs, as their guardian, with the party leadership and organisation,” cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas told reporters after a meeting with the chief minister.

    Besides Khachariyawas, Assembly Speaker C P Joshi, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra, Minister Shanti Dhariwal, and Mahesh Joshi also met the chief minister.

    Gehlot reached Delhi late on Wednesday late night. He is expected to meet Sonia today.
    Gehlot appears to be on the offensive despite the High Command reportedly bracing up to crack the whip on Gehlot loyalists’ and ministers Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi. The two spearheaded the protest against signing the resolution authorising Sonia Gandhi to appoint a new Chief Minister after Gehlot files the nomination papers for the party presidential polls. Gehlot and his loyalists are figjting tooth and nail the high command’s move to make Sachin Pilot as Rajasthan Chief Minister if Gehlot goes on to become party president.

    Gehlot is not averse to giving up chief ministership and entering the presidential race. But he does not want to hand over charge in the state to Pilot. He says he would hand over the chief ministership to anyone from the 102 MLAs who had stayed loyal to the party when Pilot had walked out, but not the latter.

    As suspense over whether or not Gehlot would agree to resign from the post of chief minister to file the nomination continues, names of many Congress leaders who are likely aspirants for the post have started doing the rounds. Among them are the party’s top Dalit leaders including, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, and former Haryana president of Congress Kumari Selja.

    ALSO READ| Rajasthan political crisis: Congress in a quandary even as it shows Gehlot his place

    Gandhi family loyalists Ambika Soni, who is considered close to Sonia Gandhi, and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh, who shares a close personal equation with Rahul Gandhi, are also among the frontrunners. Party treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal’s name is also being mentioned as a possible contender for the post after he took a nomination form from the Congress office.

    On Wednesday, Sonia Gandhi consulted senior party leaders Ambika Soni and A K Antony, who was called from Kerala where he is leading a retired life, on the Rajasthan crisis. She was advised to meet Gehlot one last time to try and iron out the differences.

    The two central observers – Ajay Maken and Mallikarjun Kharge – have shielded Gehlot in their report after returning from Jaipur where they were not able to meet the party MLAs loyal to the chief minister. These MLAs are opposed to the leadership’s plan to replace Gehlot with his former deputy Sachin Pilot and refused to sign a resolution authorising the party president to choose Gehlot’s successor.

  • Digvijaya Singh to file nomination for post of Congress president

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has decided to file nomination for the post of the party president for which the election is scheduled to be held on October 17. He is expected to arrive in the national capital on Wednesday night.

    Sources close to Singh on Wednesday said the decision to contest the polls is his personal one, adding nobody from the Gandhi family has asked him to do so.

    The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister may file the nomination by September 30.

    Congress’ initial plan was to field Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the top party post but the high-octane drama in Rajasthan has miffed the Gandhis.

    Sources in the know of things said “Gehlot has not been ruled out from the race yet”.

    Congress treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal has taken a nomination form from the party’s Central Election Authority (CEA). On his part, Bansal said he is only a proposer, not the candidate.

    CEA chairman Madhusudan Mistry on Tuesday had said: “Till now, Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Bansal have taken nomination forms from the CEA.”

    Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath whose name had also come up and had met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday, said that he does not want to become the party chief, and wants to continue to work for the party in Madhya Pradesh.

    The drama in Rajasthan has made the Congress leadership think about a ‘Plan B’ for the top party post for which Gehlot was being seen as a contender. However, the open defiance by his MLAs loyal to him brought him under a cloud.

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has decided to file nomination for the post of the party president for which the election is scheduled to be held on October 17. He is expected to arrive in the national capital on Wednesday night.

    Sources close to Singh on Wednesday said the decision to contest the polls is his personal one, adding nobody from the Gandhi family has asked him to do so.

    The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister may file the nomination by September 30.

    Congress’ initial plan was to field Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the top party post but the high-octane drama in Rajasthan has miffed the Gandhis.

    Sources in the know of things said “Gehlot has not been ruled out from the race yet”.

    Congress treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal has taken a nomination form from the party’s Central Election Authority (CEA). On his part, Bansal said he is only a proposer, not the candidate.

    CEA chairman Madhusudan Mistry on Tuesday had said: “Till now, Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Bansal have taken nomination forms from the CEA.”

    Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath whose name had also come up and had met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday, said that he does not want to become the party chief, and wants to continue to work for the party in Madhya Pradesh.

    The drama in Rajasthan has made the Congress leadership think about a ‘Plan B’ for the top party post for which Gehlot was being seen as a contender. However, the open defiance by his MLAs loyal to him brought him under a cloud.

  • ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’: Digvijaya Singh, other Congress veterans show exemplary walking stamina

    Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 75-year-old Digvijaya Singh, former Madhya Pradesh CM and Bharat Jodo Yatra campaign committee chairman, has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on his padayatra right from Kanyakumari on foot.

    When a large number of state Congress leaders, except MP K Muraleedharan and UDF convener M M Hassan, are relying on their cars, Digvijaya Singh and wife Amrita Rai are an exception.  

    Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala who has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on foot and sometimes in his car gave yoga tips to padayatris who faced aches due to brisk walking.

    Clad in a Gandhi cap and the traditional white khadi kurta and pyjama, Digviyaya was seen treading the padayatra effortlessly a little distance behind Rahul. Showing no hurry to be in the front row, he ensures that he does not come under the media glare.

    But the way in which Digvijaya walks shows that this is not the first time he has undertaken an arduous padayatra beating the high humidity of Kerala.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Day after CPM jibe, Rahul extends stay in UP by three days

    He told TNIE that he has got a rich experience of walking 3,300km Narmada Parikrama Yatra (NPY) through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra during October 2017-April 2018.

    “I have to keep myself fit as I have a wife (former TV news anchor) who is 23 years younger than me! Jokes apart, we are enjoying the yatra in Kerala. We will be leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday night as I have to organise the BJY in other states. But we will be back in Kerala on September 19,” he said.

    Another central leader who is accompanying Rahul is national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal who is a “one-man silent army”. But the two state leaders who have stolen the heart of Rahul are 74-year-old Hassan and 65-year-old Muraleedharan.

    Hassan told TNIE that though he has been a prolific morning walker, padayatra has been an entirely unique experience.

    ALSO READ | Not against Bharat Jodo Yatra, CPM makes its stance clear

    “Rahul Gandhi is very cool and jovial. His stamina is astounding and on certain occasions, he slowed down so that I could catch up with him. My initial idea was that I would traverse with him in the Thiruvananthapuram district alone. But now I have decided to join him on the first day in each district,” said Hassan.

    But Muraleedharan has decided to accompany Rahul throughout the padayatra until it crosses to Karnataka from Nilambur.

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 75-year-old Digvijaya Singh, former Madhya Pradesh CM and Bharat Jodo Yatra campaign committee chairman, has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on his padayatra right from Kanyakumari on foot.

    When a large number of state Congress leaders, except MP K Muraleedharan and UDF convener M M Hassan, are relying on their cars, Digvijaya Singh and wife Amrita Rai are an exception.  

    Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala who has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on foot and sometimes in his car gave yoga tips to padayatris who faced aches due to brisk walking.

    Clad in a Gandhi cap and the traditional white khadi kurta and pyjama, Digviyaya was seen treading the padayatra effortlessly a little distance behind Rahul. Showing no hurry to be in the front row, he ensures that he does not come under the media glare.

    But the way in which Digvijaya walks shows that this is not the first time he has undertaken an arduous padayatra beating the high humidity of Kerala.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Day after CPM jibe, Rahul extends stay in UP by three days

    He told TNIE that he has got a rich experience of walking 3,300km Narmada Parikrama Yatra (NPY) through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra during October 2017-April 2018.

    “I have to keep myself fit as I have a wife (former TV news anchor) who is 23 years younger than me! Jokes apart, we are enjoying the yatra in Kerala. We will be leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday night as I have to organise the BJY in other states. But we will be back in Kerala on September 19,” he said.

    Another central leader who is accompanying Rahul is national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal who is a “one-man silent army”. But the two state leaders who have stolen the heart of Rahul are 74-year-old Hassan and 65-year-old Muraleedharan.

    Hassan told TNIE that though he has been a prolific morning walker, padayatra has been an entirely unique experience.

    ALSO READ | Not against Bharat Jodo Yatra, CPM makes its stance clear

    “Rahul Gandhi is very cool and jovial. His stamina is astounding and on certain occasions, he slowed down so that I could catch up with him. My initial idea was that I would traverse with him in the Thiruvananthapuram district alone. But now I have decided to join him on the first day in each district,” said Hassan.

    But Muraleedharan has decided to accompany Rahul throughout the padayatra until it crosses to Karnataka from Nilambur.

  • BJP raising issues like Gyanvapi mosque as its graph is dipping, says Digvijaya

    By PTI

    INDORE: Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh on Friday said the ruling BJP was raking up religious issues like the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi as its performance graph was continuously falling due to rising inflation, unemployment and depreciation in rupee value against the US dollar.

    He also criticised the Centre’s move to ban the export of wheat.

    “This is not a new thing. Inflation and unemployment are rising, rupee value is dropping and the Modi government’s graph is tumbling. In this condition what are they going to do?” he told reporters here.

    The former CM was replying to a query over the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, where a court-mandated survey of the premises has been completed, and other religious rows.

    Singh said the Modi government’s decision to suddenly ban wheat export has inflicted massive losses to small and medium traders.

    Asked about former Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar’s comments, made after joining the BJP, that some leaders of the Sonia Gandhi-led party were busy “flattering the high command”, Singh, taking a swipe at his ex-colleague, quipped, “He took a long time to understand this.”

    On the CBI registering a fresh corruption case against former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, Singh alleged the RJD leader was being harassed.

  • Jyotiraditya Scindia​ poses no challenge to Congress in Madhya Pradesh: Digvijaya Singh

    By PTI

    GWALIOR: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia does not pose any challenge for the party in Madhya Pradesh.

    Scindia quit the party two years ago, joining the BJP and toppling Congress’ government in the state in the process.

    Singh was talking to reporters here after holding a meeting of party leaders from Gwalior-Chambal division.

    Asked if Scindia is a challenge for the party, the Congress veteran said, “He is no challenge. The biggest challenge at this juncture is the BJP’s ideology and repressive policies…An individual is not a challenge.”

    The Congress government was toppled by money power in 2020, he claimed.

    Inflation, unemployment, increased power bills, farmers’ problems and fake cases registered against Congress leaders among others will be the issues in the next elections in the state, Singh said.

    A rally will be organised in Datia within a month to protest against the fake cases registered against Congress workers, he added.

  • Digvijaya Singh’s faux pas; politicians keep embers of communal tension alive in Madhya Pradesh

    Express News Service

    BHOPAL: Former chief minister and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday took to Twitter to slam the Sangh Parivar for the communal violence that hit Khargone town during the Ram Navami celebration. However, he scored a self-goal by tweeting a photo that has nothing to do with the state.

    In one of a series of tweets, Singh used a picture in which a youth can be seen hoisting a saffron flag on a worship place of the Muslim community.

    While suggesting that the picture pertained to Khargone, Singh questioned, “is it appropriate to hoist a flag while wielding lathi and sword? Did the Khargone administration allow carrying out a procession with arms? Irrespective of which religion they belong to, will the bulldozer do its job on all the stone-pelters? Don’t forget Shivraj Ji (the MP CM) that you’ve taken the oath of office to run the government neutrally.” 

    However, the picture tweeted by Singh turned out to be taken outside MP and the septuagenarian was forced to delete the controversial tweet.

    The tweet, however, had by then triggered a political controversy in the state. 

    Ruling BJP MLA from Huzur (Bhopal) Rameshwar Sharma demanded action against Singh. The state home’s minister Narottam Mishra was quick to take note of screenshots of Singh’s deleted tweet. 

    “It’s not a question of him (Singh) having deleted the tweet, as the screenshot of the tweet had already gone viral before he deleted it. He is constantly misleading people and fomenting a religious frenzy. We’re consulting legal experts, about what appropriate legal action can be initiated against Singh,” the home minister said.

    CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while cautioning Singh over such tweets, said “whoever the individual is, it doesn’t matter, but such developments won’t be tolerated. The ex-CM has hatched a conspiracy to fan religious frenzy and push the state into the fire of communal riots, it cannot be tolerated.”

    The ex-CM, meanwhile, also questioned the bulldozing action against the “illegal” properties of “rioters” in Khargone and Sendhwa towns.

    “The Indian Constitution grants every citizen the right to practice their own religion. Action by Shivraj Singh Chouhan government on the basis of religion is unconstitutional.”

    “I’m principally against any action without serving notice or giving a suitable hearing. Does the country’s constitution have any provision for the present bulldozer culture? But if you’ve to run the bulldozer illegally, then that action shouldn’t discriminate on the basis of religion,” Singh tweeted.

    The authorities had bulldozed at least 52 “illegal properties” of people involved in violence in Khargone and Sendhwa towns on Monday. Sources say similar actions are likely to continue in the coming days.

    Reacting to Singh’s tweets questioning bulldozing action, the MP home minister Narottam Mishra questioned “there were no tweets when Singh and Asaduddin Owaisi’s Shanti Doots (messengers of peace) were pelting stones on Ram Navami processions. Tweets are being done only when action is being taken against stone pelters. The bulldozing action which started on Monday will continue,” Mishra said