'Scindia for Congress chief' posters seen at party's Bhopal office

BHOPAL: A day after he resigned from the post of AICC general secretary, a banner was put-up by Jyotiraditya Scindia followers at the state Congress office demanding his appointment as the next Congress national president.
The banner put-up near the main entrance of the state PCC office said, “An appeal to Rahul Gandhi ji. The pride of our country and senior leader from MP Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia ji.An appeal to give him charge of national leadership befitting his work ethics.” The poster claimed this as the demand of all workers of the state Congress.
In the state assembly, ministers of the Scindia faction argued that their young leader is hard working and experienced for the post of AICC president. Speaking to reporters, minister for labour Mahendra Singh Sisodia said, “If Rahul Gandhi is stepping down and not wanting to be in the position, then why not Jyotiraditya Scindia? He is young, proficient and diligent.”
Another minister Pradyumn Singh Tomar, known to be a staunch supporter of Scindia said, “New energy will come to the party if he becomes the AICC president.” Minister for food and civil supplies, Tomar defended that even chief minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh has called for a young leadership. Tomar said Scindia would be the perfect choice as Rahul Gandhi’s successor.
BJP, meanwhile, took a dig at Scindia’s followers. State BJP vice-president Vijesh Lunawat said, “Jyotiraditya Scindia has impeccable political record. He just lost his Guna seat in the Lok Sabha elections. He was in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh and the Congress got routed there. Even AICC president Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi seat could not be saved. Congress is unable to digest its debacle in the Lok Sabha elections and Scindia supporters are suffering from mental disbalance.”
Minister for revenue and transport Govind Singh Rajput said that appointment of Congress national president is outside the jurisdiction of state party leaders and ministers. “The national leadership will decide on the next AICC president. But a young leader should be given the post,” he said.
Congress MLA Giriraj Danditia said that Scindia is the most talented of all party leaders in the Hindi belt and would be the best choice.
However, all those raising the demand are Scindia followers. Chief minister Kamal Nath’s supporters were of a different view. Minister for PWD, Sajjan Singh Verma, known as one of chief minister’s most trusted men said, “Priyanka Gandhi should be made the next Congress national president and in Madhya Pradesh the post of state Congress president should be given to Bala Bachchan.” Bala Bachchan is home minister in the Kamal Nath government. Poster demanding Scindia’s appointment was later taken down by the state Congress office.