Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan, Digvijaya Singh conspiring against Rahul Gandhi: Beni Prasad Verma

LUCKNOW: Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma has accused Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and Digvijaya Singh of trying to weaken the party by raising questions over Rahul Gandhi's leadership.

Beni said Chavan's statement that Rahul should have become a minister in the UPA government and Singh's observation that the party vice-president should have been more visible and vocal are indications of a conspiracy. "Presence of Rahul Gandhi in the Manmohan Singh government would have undermined the authority of then PM. So he (Rahul) was right in deciding to work for the party," the former Union minister told TOI on Sunday.

Beni had recently met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul and urged them to keep a watch on party's regional leaders. Without taking Digvijaya's name, Beni said some senior leaders had dented Congress' prospects in 2012 UP assembly elections by raising the issue of Batla House encounter and seeking reservation for Muslims.

"It is ridiculous that regional leaders are deciding candidates, campaigns and strategy but when the party loses blame is shifted on Rahul Gandhi. Why no action is taken against such regional leaders who have been repeatedly failing," he said.

Beni dismissed the speculation that he may join the Samajwadi Party. "It's true SP sent me feelers but I declined," he said. On the state bypolls, he said Congress will do well on many seats. But Beni said he will not be able to campaign for party candidates as he was unwell.

On the issue of 'love jihad' and inflammatory speeches by BJP MP Yogi Adityanath, Beni said he was not surprised because "it is in the DNA of the party which is a tool in the hands of RSS."