Digvijaya skips out of RS race, says won’t seek third term

Bhopal: In a significant political statement, senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, Digvijaya Singh, on Tuesday said he will not seek a third term in the Rajya Sabha. The veteran leader made the announcement on the second day of Bhopal Declaration – 2 convention of SC and ST organisations here in the state capital, Bhopal.Speaking to reporters at Samanvay Bhavan, the venue for the Bhopal Declaration – 2 convention, Digvijaya said he wouldn't put his hat in the ring again for a seat in the Upper House. The former chief minister's second term in the Rajya Sabha is slated to end on April 9. Two Upper House seats from Madhya Pradesh will be vacated on that day, including the Congress seat held by Digvijaya and BJP the seat held currently by Sumer Singh Solanki. Leaving no room for ambiguity or speculation, the Congress veteran told reporters, "I am leaving the Upper House seat." His announcement comes on the heels of the Congress' state SC department chief, Pradeep Ahirwar, shooting off a letter to Digvijaya demanding that a SC candidate be nominated by the party for Rajya Sabha. In the letter, Ahirwar argued that 17% of the state's population comprises Scheduled Caste people and, hence, the Congress should propose a leader from the Dalit community for representation in the Upper House. Ahirwar argued that it would strengthen the self-respect and political participation of the SC community while also going by the spirit of the Constitution. To a question about the letter, Digvijaya said, "It's not in my hands to send anyone to Rajya Sabha. The party high command will take the call. But as for me, I will vacate my seat in the Upper House." According to party sources, Digvijaya, in a recent meeting with the party top brass earlier this month, expressed his wish to work towards strengthening the organisation in Madhya Pradesh with an eye on the 2028 assembly elections.