Deepak Babaria (File photo)

BHOPAL: AICC president Rahul Gandhi has called an urgent meeting of the MP Congress ’ top rung on Tuesday morning following reports that Deepak Babaria — who Rahul hand-picked as in charge of poll-bound MP — was roughed up by supporters of a party faction in Rewa late Sunday night.

Babaria was addressing a press conference at the Rewa circuit house when he was asked who would be chief minister if Congress came to power. The AICC general secretary said it would probably be Jyotiraditya Scindia or Kamal Nath, sources said. Asked if Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh, who is influential in the Rewa-Satna-Sidhi region, is also on the list, Babaria replied: “Whatever you understand.”

After the press meet, when Babaria went into a room in the circuit house, a group of Congress workers barged in and allegedly roughed him up. Babaria was rescued by another group of Congress workers.

The state BJP took a dig at Congress on Monday, with home minister Bhupendra Singh writing to Babaria offering to “protect him from Congress leaders and workers”.

Sources said the central leadership is very disturbed by the manhandling of Babaria. PCC chief Kamal Nath, election campaign committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia, former CM Digvijaya Singh, Ajay Singh and Babaria have been called to meet Rahul at 10 am on Tuesday.

On Monday, Ajay Singh said, “This incident should not have happened and such people have no place in the party. Whoever they are, these persons cannot be my supporters. Strict action should be taken against them.”

