In a major setback to the Congress party, civil society activists have openly challenged the Congress party in its so-called anti-corruption drive in the state. Just before the election, Congress’ anti-corruption poll-pitch has suffered a big blow in Madhya Pradesh.
Vyapam whistleblower Dr Anand Rai said, “Congress has not only given tickets to those accused in Vyapam scam and illegal sand mining cases but also is getting poll finances from private colleges who had been involved in the admission and recruitment scam.” The Congress brought all the like-minded civil rights activists, RTI activists and anti-corruption crusaders together in MP. The Congress party wooed these civil society organizations to fight against corruption and to garner support in its election campaign against the BJP now itself faces backlash.
Last year, in Gujarat, the INC had formed an electoral alliance with activists of various caste groups like Jignesh Mevani (Dalits), Hardik Patel (Patidars) and Alpesh Thakor (Thakor). Despite efforts from these so called politically motivated civil society activists, Grand Old Party failed to win the election in Gujarat. In order to replicate the Gujarat Model, Indore-based Rai’s pressure group, Vichar MP, had brought together many activists working in diverse fields such as health, nutrition, drive against sand mafia, right to information and issues relating to farmers.
However, over the last two months, in a total turn around, Digvijaya Singh has openly declared Sanjeev Saksena, an accused in the scam, as innocent. On October 31, in a Congress rally in Indore, the VYAPAM accused Gulab Singh Kirar joined the INC and shared the stage with INC President Rahul Gandhi. Dr Rai has said that the Congress party has failed to replicate the Gujarat model in Madhya Pradesh. It can be said that congress cheated the activists who were working against the corruption.
Dr Rai has lashed out on the Grand Old Party and accused the Congress of being a corrupt opposition. Mr Rai opines that the INC has played with the emotions of people and cheated them. The Congress party President’s trusted Lieutenant Deepak Babariya in charge of formulating strategy had promised these activists that they will be given party ticket to contest the elections or be given charge of corporations and various state boards. After the major crackdown on these foreign funded NGO by the central government, these groups have found a ray of hope to stay alive but now they feel cheated and are expressing anger against INC
The Grand Old Party cannot afford the displeasure of civil society if it ever hopes to return to power. The electorate has already abandoned the INC and the so-called civil society too has withdrawn its support. The Grand Old Party seems to have lost the ground in Madhya Pradesh as these shocking revelations surface.