Winning VS polls will be a major challenge: Mahant

Raipur, June 03, 2013 

After being given reins of state Congress, union minister of state for agriculture and food processing industries Charandas Mahant on Monday said winning upcoming assembly elections would be major challenge for him. “However, we are hopeful to form government this time,” he added while talking to scribes. 

Extending his gratitude party supremo Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi he said he would meet the duo and taken their guidance pertaining state unit’s future events. 

“I accept the new responsibility given to me by high command. Since I have worked in this capacity earlier, I am confident to do justice to my job and meet party’s expectations,” he added.

He said his first priority would be to mop party workers’ tears and beef up the state unit for Vidhan Sabha polls. “I would also ensure Congress MLAs get adequate security,” he said.

On national investigation agency’s (NIA) Monday report that said four party insiders were linked to Maoists to make May 25 attack successful he said it would be premature to comment on it as the agency had given prima facie report. “Let the NIA submit comprehensive report on the incident then I will give my opinion,” he added.

He, however, said security lapse was one of the major reasons that led to gruesome Darbha incident. “Even the state government and the BJPians admit about it. The state government too has constituted judicial commission to probe into the matter. Before speaking on it, we will wait what both NIA and judicial inquiry reports say,” he said. 

On PCC’s June 2 decision to continue parivartan yatra he said the decision would soon be taken in presence of senior party leaders.

Denying growing factionalism in Congress he said he had always maintained that there is difference of opinion in the party and it is not a big issue. “The party has always displayed unity when required and will do it again in next VS polls,” he added.

Asked whether he would hold dual responsibility of ministership and PCC chief or would solely concentrate in state politics, he said the decision would be taken by the high command and he would act accordingly.