Factionalism in Congress comes to fore

Bhopal, Sep 2 (UNI) Factionalism in the Madhya Pradesh Congress has come to fore with about seven contenders becoming active for the post of state Youth Congress President in view of expectations that appointment to the post would be made soon.

Among those in the race for the post include Union Minister Suresh Pachouri-supported Vikalp Deria and Atul Sharma, and MLA Rajwardhan Singh, a close confidant of MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, party sources said.

Other contenders include Mr Kamleshwar Patel, a supporter of Union Minister Arjun Singh, Mr Dinesh Gurjar, a confidant of Union Minister Kamal Nath, Mr Jitu Patwari and Bhopal district Youth Congress President Nasir Islam.

Mr Sharma and Mr Deria have served as state NSUI President before.

The post of state Youth Congress President is vacant since the past two years after the tenure of then incumbent Meenakshi Natrajan ended. Former state Youth Congress President Govind Rajput is a legislator at present.

In fact, a clear division within the ranks of the Congress had surfaced when a scuffle broke out between supporters of Mr Islam and Mr Patwari outside airport during the visit of Youth Congress President Ashok Tanwar yesterday.

State Congress President Subhash Yadav was unable to deliver his speech properly during state-level Youth Congress meeting due to sloganeering by party workers in support of their bosses.

The Congress has started the exercise of filling up vacant posts in the party in view of assembly elections in the state next year.

Mr Tanwar had indicated during the meeting yesterday that appointment to the post would be made soon. However, the appointment would be made as per the wishes of the party High Command.

Sources said Mr Deria and Mr Sharma are strong contenders followed by Mr Rajwardhan Singh. The appointment must come within a month.

UNI