Ajay Singh stresses proper guidance to Cong workers

Bhopal, July 27 (UNI) Dismissing the concept of Dabra-like conventions for Congress unity, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-President and former minister Ajay Singh today said the need of the hour was proper guidance of workers.

''Differences of opinion in a party are due to leaders but there is no difference among workers. Concern is spiralling regarding the strategy for bringing the Congress to power in this state's next Assembly polls,'' he admitted during a Meet-the-Press programme at the Central Pres Club here.

Dodging a question on AICC General Secretary and former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh's statement regarding bringing youthful leadership to the fore, Mr Ajay Singh said that the present requirement was to further strengthen the party.

Responding to a query on Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, he merely said, ''Mr Scindia is a state-level leader.'' Regarding the ruling BJP's Mission 2008 vis-a-vis the Vidhan Sabha elections, Mr Singh alleged that announcements made in public interest were not being implemented.

''The Congress has never had the tradition of projecting a prospective chief minister,'' he said while advocating a two-party system for the state and adding that its electorate had rejected a multi-party system.

Admitting that the GGP's position slightly improved in Mahakaushal region, the Congress leader however claimed that even a BJP-GGP-BSP alliance would not cause a loss to his party.

''The BSP gains in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh cannot be replicated here. That party may capitalise on the weakening of parties such as SP,'' he added.

Regarding the Congress being unable to play an effective role as the state's main opposition, Mr Singh said that such a situation was possibly being caused due to responsibilities not being apportioned in advance.

''When the Congress was in the opposition earlier, Mr Shyama Charan Shukla apportioned responsibilites to MLAs. During BJP regime good work has been done in road laying at several places,'' he admitted while adding that he had complained to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan about Nelson's eye being turned on his areas Sidhi and Baghelkhand.

Accusing the government of forcibly intervening in the cultural sphere, Mr Singh added that the multi-art centre Bharat Bhavan's prestige consequently took a body blow.

''Corruption and the law and order situation will be the Congress' key issues at the hustings,'' he explained.

UNI