With the Congress in the state facing its real opposition from within, it’s not a surprise that it took 15 long years for the faction-ridden party to bring all its senior leaders on one platform.

The show of unity at Chhindwara, the constituency of Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, on August 22 has created a buzz. Nath, himself a rare visitor to the state, had succeeded in doing what only the late Madhavrao Scindia achieved, way back in 1993 in Dabra, making the small town in Gwalior district a metaphor for Congress unity.

It was in 2003, after the humiliating loss in the state elections, that cracks had first surfaced within the Congress, with each faction charting out a separate course. Partymen would issue separate press releases taking different lines and spokespersons of separate factions vied for space in the Congress headquarters.

Last year saw the young Jyotiradiya Scindia and former chief minister Digvijay Singh holding separate rallies in each other’s area of influence. Then state president Subhash Yadav, meanwhile, floundered as he did not enjoy the support of any of the leaders. There were frequent demands for his removal, till he was finally replaced with Union minister Suresh Pachauri.

The less-than-impressive performance in by-elections was a wake-up call. With Assembly elections nearing, a need was felt within the Congress to bring party ranks together, perhaps with a repeat of the Dabra meeting.

Barring a few awkward moments, the Chhindwara meeting was a success. As many as 21 leaders addressed a joint press conference, including everyone from Pachauri, Scindia, Digvijay Singh and Leader of Opposition Jamuna Devi to AICC secretaries V Narayan Sami and Satyavrat Chaturvedi. Everyone who matters in the state Congress was present. Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh’s participation was ruled out, but his son Ajay Singh, who is the chief of the party campaign committee, was present.

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