The Congress party in Madhya Pradesh has taken strong disciplinary action following an ugly incident of assault and misbehaviour with Vidhan Sabha in-charge Dr. Vinod Sharma at the Jawahar Congress Bhawan in Sidhi.

Addressing a press conference in Rewa on Wednesday, senior Congress leader Kamleshwar Patel strongly condemned the incident and described the attackers as “anti-social elements” who have no place in the party. He announced that two leaders — Vijay Singh and Kamleshwar Singh — have been expelled from the party for life.

Patel said he had spoken to Dr. Vinod Sharma over the phone and received a detailed account of the incident. “The kind of behaviour shown towards him is highly unfortunate and condemnable,” he said, adding that such acts damage the party’s image and cannot be tolerated.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening after a monthly review meeting. Allegations include verbal abuse, scuffle, and physical pushing against Dr. Sharma. The entire episode reportedly stemmed from a controversial social media post that exposed internal factionalism within the party.

Patel emphasised that party discipline is paramount. “Anyone who violates the dignity of the organisation will face action,” he warned.

The swift decision to expel the two leaders has sent a strong message that the party leadership is serious about maintaining discipline and will not hesitate to take tough steps against those indulging in indiscipline.

Further details on the internal probe and any additional action are awaited.

MP Congress Launches 'Project M' to Mobilise Minority Women 

In a significant organisational push, the Madhya Pradesh Congress on Saturday formally launched 'Project M', a dedicated initiative aimed at building a network of minority women across the state to strengthen grassroots connect.

Party chief Jitu Patwari is scheduled to inaugurate the project at the state Congress office, where around 160 selected women from minority communities are participating in orientation sessions spanning nearly three hours.

Targeted Outreach, Not Street Protests

Congress leaders said the project marks a strategic shift in how the party engages with minority women, who have historically shown limited participation in active politics beyond a few prominent families. Unlike traditional agitation-based programmes, members of this group will steer clear of dharnas, rallies, and protests.

Instead, they will focus on door-to-door outreach, building personal connections within their communities and encouraging greater political awareness and participation.

Inspired by Long-Term Community Work

Party sources familiar with the planning said the initiative draws inspiration from sustained, quiet organisational work at the community level. Officials described it as an attempt to create a platform where minority women can showcase their leadership qualities in a secular framework, addressing the party's view that certain sections feel less comfortable with the ruling BJP's ideology.

Dr Sanjay Kamle, the Congress's state organisational in-charge, called Project M a special mission of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee. He noted that groundwork began nearly six to seven months ago, overcoming several challenges before a core team could be formed.

Diverse Representation

The group is not limited to any single community. It includes women from Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh backgrounds. Many of them are visiting the Congress office in Bhopal for the first time, marking their initial formal engagement with the party structure.

Sessions on Saturday will brief participants on the project's strategy, expected roles, and long-term goals. Emphasis has been placed on capacity building and community-level messaging.

Performance-Based Opportunities

Congress leaders indicated that women who perform well in expanding the party's reach could be given bigger responsibilities. Good performers may even get a chance to contest the upcoming urban local body elections on party tickets, based on their interest and demonstrated ability.

This approach is seen as an effort to nurture new faces and broaden the party's base among minorities, who form a crucial demographic in several urban and semi-urban pockets of Madhya Pradesh.

Congress Aims to Counter Prolonged Out-of-Power Phase

The launch comes as the Congress, out of power in the state for several years, continues efforts to reorganise and reconnect with various social groups. Party leaders believe this structured, low-profile mobilisation could prove more effective than large-scale public protests in building lasting loyalty.

Jitu Patwari and other senior leaders have repeatedly stressed the need to give women due respect and space in politics, in line with constitutional values.

As the sessions conclude later on Saturday, expectations are high within the party that Project M could emerge as a quiet but potent force in the run-up to future electoral battles, particularly municipal polls expected next year.

The initiative reflects the Congress's attempt to innovate its outreach in a state where traditional methods have yielded limited success in recent times. How effectively this core group translates the vision into ground-level impact will be closely watched in the coming months. 

BJP MLA Sends Rs 10 Crore Defamation Notice to MP Mahila Congress Chief

Reena Borasi Setia faces legal heat after levelling serious charges of sexual exploitation and land grab against Alot legislator Chintamani Malviya.

In a sharp escalation of political confrontation in Madhya Pradesh, BJP MLA Dr Chintamani Malviya has issued a Rs 10 crore defamation notice to state Mahila Congress president Reena Borasi Setia. The notice, sent through his lawyer, targets statements made by Borasi accusing the Alot legislator of serious offences including sexual exploitation and illegal occupation of land.

The development comes days after Borasi met Governor Mangubhai Patel in Bhopal and submitted a memorandum detailing the allegations.

Notice Targets Media Statements

According to the legal notice dispatched by Advocate Shekhar Srivastava, the MLA has demanded that Borasi provide certified copies of all documents and evidence supporting her claims within seven days. Failure to do so, the notice warns, will result in both civil suit for damages and criminal defamation proceedings.

Malviya has also sent a similar legal notice to a local news channel over the broadcast of Borasi’s interview.

Governor Meeting Sparks Row

Reena Borasi had earlier alleged before the Governor that a woman complainant had provided her with an affidavit and evidence against the legislator. She claimed the MLA, along with 25-30 associates, had harassed a 70-year-old woman, demolished her hut, and grabbed ancestral land. Borasi publicly demanded the cancellation of Malviya’s membership of the Legislative Assembly.

Her statements, made outside Raj Bhavan, quickly gained traction in local media and social platforms.

MLA Cites Political Vendetta

In the notice, Malviya has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and motivated by electoral rivalry. As a highly educated public representative, he said his reputation has been deliberately tarnished for political gains. Sources close to the legislator maintained that the accusations form part of a “conspiracy” amplified through a specific channel and social media.

The Alot MLA, who also served as a former MP, asserted that no concrete proof has been presented to substantiate the grave charges.

Women’s Issues Fuel Political Heat

The episode has further intensified debates around women’s safety and alleged exploitation in the state. Mahila Congress workers have been vocal about delays in action against influential figures, claiming administrative inaction due to the accused’s political clout.

Local observers note that the confrontation also carries undertones of past electoral contests in the Ratlam region, where Borasi is believed to harbour political differences with the sitting legislator.

 Legal Timeline and Next Steps

The seven-day window given in the notice has set a tight deadline for compliance. Legal experts suggest that if the matter proceeds to court, the burden of proof will lie heavily on the Congress leader to validate her public statements with documentary evidence.

As of now, neither Borasi nor the Mahila Congress unit has issued a formal response to the defamation notice. Party circles in Bhopal indicated that consultations are underway on the legal strategy.

The case has once again brought the spotlight on how political discourse in Madhya Pradesh often spills into personal and legal battles, especially when allegations involve women’s dignity and powerful local leaders. With assembly undercurrents already active, both sides are expected to dig in as the matter unfolds.