Digvijaya Singh used headstart to reach out to all sections... even those angry with him

BHOPAL: Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh has pulled all stops to make the most of the 24-day headstart gifted to him by BJP’s uncertainty in declaring the Bhopal ticket.

Poojas, weddings, hawans, bhandaras and community functions… you name it, he’s there. The

former CM

is reaching to young voters and working professionals as well. On Wednesday, he even met sportspersons separately.

The first major convention Digvijaya attended after being declared the Congress candidate from Bhopal on March 23 was a meeting of state government employees, where he urged them to “forgive and forget any bhool-chook by him in the past”. Occasions like Navratri and Dr Ambedkar Jayanti have come in handy to reach out to communities as BJP tied itself in knots for over three weeks.

Having ruled the state for a decade, Digvijaya is no stranger to the city, but he is leaving no stone unturned to reach out to every section of society. His day starts with a morning meeting with his well-wishers. Then, his aides fix an itinerary for him to participate in as many community functions as possible. Temple visits are a must for the Congress stalwart who has completed the arduous 3,500km Narmada Parikrama on foot.

Digvijaya is going all out to combat the “anti-Hindu” barbs that BJP hurls at him. Sadhvi Pragya, who was named BJP’s candidate Bhopal, has said fighting Digvijaya will be a “dharm yuddh” for her.

The former CM is reaching out to groups that are not happy with him due to his controversial comments. He is meeting professionals to find out their vision of Bhopal, and has initiated social media outreach programmes — #Yuva Vijay, seeking feedback from youth, Sankalpit Digvijaya and ‘ Bhopal Ki Baat, Digvijaya Ke Sath’ to see what Bhopalis want from their MP

He even joined hands with girl students of Regional College of Education in their agitation against the college management. Backing them, he said majority of their demands were right and the college management should not clamp “emergency-like” situation on students. “Providing security to girls on campus is the responsibility of the college management,” he said, and assured the girls that as MP he would ensure a “shuttle bus service” for girl students.

“Woman security has been a sensitive issue in Bhopal for quite some time now. Singh used the agitation by Regional College students to focus on the issue,” said a member of his war-room team. “Usually his day begins with an interaction with people at his residence and ends at a marriage reception, where he is invited. During the day, he visits temples, participates in havan, pujan, and community feast,” said another.