BHOPAL: Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh seems to have been isolated in the party for seeking proof of airstrike on Balakot and for praising Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Chief Minister Kamal Nath has kept off Singh after he issued the statement. Besides, he has so far avoided making any controversial remark on the current Indo-Pak conflict. The state government organised an event, Bharatiyam, in praise of the Indian Air Force for hitting a terrorist camp in Balakot, but Singh is asking for its proof and praising Khan.
Singh’s statement raised a storm across the country, and the state BJP organised a ‘Dhikkar Diwas’ in protest against the remark. Nath has asked the Congress leaders and his cabinet colleagues to keep away from making any controversial statement. The CM believes that giving undue importance to the issue and making contentious statements over it should be avoided before the Lok Sabha elections, as that may harm the party.
The day the IAF struck at Balakot the cabinet passed a proposal praising the act of bravery. Nath wants to show that his government is with the army.
On seeing the Chief Minister’s approach to the matter, the leaders of the party have given a wide berth to Singh. Feedback is being taken from the ground-level leaders on how the party will perform in the Lok Sabha elections in the changed situation. Nath has told the party leaders who are close to him to keep away from controversial issues. Nath has avoided taking any action on closure of Jan Abhiyan Parishad and on the RSS affairs.