Political Bureau
The Economic Times
May 21, 1999
Title: Digvijay adds a footnote to resignation Author: Political Bureau Publication: The Economic Times Date: May 21, 1999 The resignation drama staged by four Congress chief ministers ran into trouble today when Madhya Pradesh governor Bhai Mahavir publicly posed an embarrassing question: how is it that the state government continues to function if chief minister Digvijay Singh has already resigned? The comment raised eye-brows among observers be-cause if the chief minister had to resign, the governor would he the first to know of it since the resignation would have to he submitted to him. Albeit, as governor Bhai Mahavir should not give credence to media reports, say sources. On the other hand, his comment has exposed the chief minister's action for what it is - a public gesture to pressurise Sonia Gandhi. Besides, it prompted Digvijay Singh to swiftly react: he clarified that the three chief ministers had only "offered" to resign since they were appointed by Sonia Gandhi. He said Sonia Gandhi had asked him to continue as chief minister, which he did. Bhai Mahavir's comment, according to sources, is more a comment on the state of relations between him and Digvijay Singh. Relations between the two have been strained ever since he was appointed. The Congress government is of the view that he is a BJP sympathiser who's been imposed on them.
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