While by-polls show Congress’ revival in other states, especially Rajasthan and Gujarat, the situation may not see a turnaround in MP even in the upcoming civic bodies’ polls, said senior Congress leader Aslam Sher Khan.
The former MP said that civic bodies’ polls are just a few months away but Congress still lacks energy in MP. "We have lost repeatedly in the assembly and parliamentary elections in the state. Now, it’s time that the poor and weaker sections should be given leadership," he said.
"The only reason BJP succeeded (in Lok Sabha polls) was because its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi talked about his humble background, his coming from a backward caste and him being a 'tea-seller'. This helped him connect with the common people," Khan added.
According to Khan, Congress needs to provide adequate space to poor, marginalised sections of sections of the society, including Dalits and tribals and minorities at the leadership level.
"Top Congress leaders from the state like Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath have been in politics for decades. They have done enough but I feel that they have now lost the hunger for power, as they have been in power for many years. It’s the right time that either they come to Bhopal, challenge Shivraj Singh Chouhan and energise the party cadre or vacate space to let the second rung of leadership emerge," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"Top Congress leaders from the state like Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath have been in politics for decades. They have done enough but I feel that they have now lost the hunger for power, as they have been in power for many years. It’s the right time that either they come to Bhopal, challenge Shivraj Singh Chouhan and energise the party cadre or vacate space to let the second rung of leadership emerge," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Khan, a former Olympian, said Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Arun Yadav should get full support of top leaders, so that in his command the civic elections can be fought and won by the Congress. He also suggested that Yadav should be more assertive.
"If top leadership of the party had been in Bhopal, the arbitrary manner in which delimitation of wards is being done, wouldn’t have happened. Right now, local BJP leaders’ directions are being followed by bureaucrats but if tall Congress leaders are in Bhopal, the officers can’t dare act in such a one-sided manner," he added.