Lok Sabha elections: Will do better than 2019, says Digvijaya Singh

Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh tells Sanjeeb Mukherjee about his last elections and Congress’s chances of winning in the state.

You have said this is your last election. Why do you say that? Do you not want to return to direct electoral politics?

Well, I’m 77 now. At some point you have to hang up your boots. Show us. For now, this is my last election.

Your Indore candidate has withdrawn from the contest. What happened there?

Well, he was bullied and threatened by the BJP. False cases have been registered against him. He was in danger of being arrested. He comes from a reputed family. He heads a highly reputed law institution, and a dedicated Congress family has succumbed to their pressure.

It is said that Congress has started giving more prominence to outsiders. People like Kanhaiya Kumar are labeled as outsiders.

What is the BJP doing? We just give them a place in the party. The BJP is giving outsiders the chief ministership and deputy chief ministership and all those who have allegations of corruption against them.

Why has election turnout fallen? Some say this is due to the weather, while others blame it on voter apathy.

It is difficult to pinpoint a single reason. It varies from place to place. But what surprises me even more is that the Election Commission has revised the number of votes polled. This has thrown the whole process into disarray.

The Congress is continuously going downhill in Madhya Pradesh. How do you think it will be revived in the state?

It will be through the youth. We have a number of youth leaders who are extremely talented. They just need some guidance and I will always be there to guide him.

How many seats in Parliament do you think Congress will win this time?

Well, we are in the battle for the most seats and will do better than in 2019.

First print: May 03, 2024 | 12:44 pm IST