Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Govind Goyal protests non-inclusion in party executive

BHOPAL: Dissatisfied with the constitution of the newly formed Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) executive, senior Congress leader Govind Goyal today staged a protest in front of the state party office here.

Goyal, who is considered close to the party general secretary, Digvijay Singh, along with his supporters, protested before the Congress office by tonsuring their heads and spinning thread on the charkha (spinning wheel).

When asked, what message he wanted to give to the party by the protest, Goyal told PTI, "The country today needs to understand Gandhi's philosophy more and walk on the path shown by him. There is a need to honour last man and promotion of Swadeshi.

"The world needs non-violence and Gandhi's policy, on whose strength the country was united and got liberated. There is a need for introspection on Mahatma Gandhi's policies," he said.

Since the party's new executive was announced, a number of senior Congress leaders, including Goyal, former Union Minister Aslam Sher Khan, lone Muslim Congress MLA Arif Aqueel and former party Vice President Manak Agrawal, have expressed objection on not being given any position in the newly constituted body.

Aslam had threatened to float a parallel Congress if no action is taken on the issue till December 31.

Yesterday, the state Congress President Arun Yadav also tried to persuade Goyal not to protest in front of the party office, but in vain.