BHOPAL/DELHI: A day after AICC general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia said he would hit the streets if manifesto promises weren’t fulfilled by Madhya Pradesh government, his early departure from a review meeting of state Congress on Saturday further deepened the impression of rift. Congress clarified that Scindia had informed in advance that he will leave the meeting early and that all was well in the state.

However, the impression of bitterness in MP Congress only gained ground when CM Kamal Nath made a terse comment in response to Scindia’s threat . Emerging from the review meeting, when Nath was asked by reporters about Scindia’s warning to hit the streets, he shot back: “Let him.”

Differences between CM Nath and Scindia have been out in the open for around eight months after Scindia criticised the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh over crop damage survey, farm loan waiver and, more recently, the demand of agitating contractual teachers to regularise their employment.

The erstwhile royal’s strong words are being linked to the jostling for the post of Madhya Pradesh Congress chief as well as to the Rajya Sabha berth falling vacant soon. The Congress coordination committee met at Nath’s house in the capital. Top state functionaries, including Nath, Digvijaya Singh , AICC general secretary in-charge of MP Deepak Babaria , former Union ministers Scindia and Arun Yadav , and higher education minister Jeetu Patwari attended the meeting.

“It was a very good meeting. Scindia had informed me on Friday that he had other appointments at 12 noon, so he would leave the meeting early,” Babaria told TOI.

“Promise letter is for five years. We have fulfilled many promises and fulfilment of other promises is underway. Scindia Ji is not against anybody. Congress is together under the leadership of Kamal Nath ji,” said Singh.

“The meeting was on the upcoming assembly bypolls in Jaura and Agar-Malwa, and the urban local body polls,” Babaria said.

