Attack on minister reflects discontent, says Chhattisgarh Congress

RAIPUR - A day after youths threw black ink on union minister V. Narayanasamy here, Chhattisgarh Congress leaders Wednesday condemned the act but pointed out that it reflected the discontent against him as state party in-charge.

“The act was no doubt the result of a belief within the party in Chhattisgarh that Narayanasamy is acting in a biased manner in the state and has failed to groom the Congress to fight the BJP,” a senior Congress leader told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Some 20-22 youths accosted the union minister of state for planning at Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress headquarters in Raipur, shouting slogans of “Sonia Gandhi zindabad”, “Rahul Gandhi zindabad”. Narayanasamy initially thought they wanted to garland him, but they poured a bottle of black ink instead, staining his white kurta and his face.

Dozens of Congress members who were strolling around the minister managed to catch four of the attackers who were handed over to police. But one vital question still remains - which party faction masterminded the act.

An influential leader remarked, “Narayanasamy is a good person and is striving hard to regroup the Congress and bring it back to power, but in the process he has sidelined several long-time, sincere and committed senior cadres and promoted dishonest figures who can’t win even the municipal council or corporation polls.”

“He has been in charge of Chhattisgarh Congress for more than three years but he has failed to even spot the basic reasons that have demoralised thousands of genuine cadres,” the leader requesting anonymity said.

He said the act by the youths Tuesday has been widely condemned within the party in Chhattisgarh, but the majority of Congress leaders believe Narayanasamy “has proved a total waste so far for the party in the state”.

The Congress was handed over a big defeat in the assembly bypoll at Bhatgaon in Surguja district, the result for which was declared Oct 4.