|| EXCLUSIVE: Digvijay Singh, son Jaivardhan on politics, Congress and Madhya Pradesh||

 EXCLUSIVE: Digvijay Singh, son Jaivardhan on politics, Congress and Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh MLA from Raghogarh, Jaivardhan Singh says his relationship with his father Digvijay Singh is that of a 'Guru-Shishya'.

In an exclusive interaction with India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh and his son MLA Jaivardhan Singh spoke about their bond and the contemporary political space in India among other things.

Veteran Congressman, Digvijay Singh is a sitting Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh while his son Jaivardhan is an MLA representing the Raghogarh constituency. Jaivardhan was also the youngest minister in Kamal Nath's cabinet.

Jaivardhan Singh says his relationship with his father is that of a 'Guru-Shishya'. "When I turned 16, my father's first advice to me was the moment you turn 16, it's not anymore a father-son relationship but it is more friends since then our relationship has been like that of two friends and of course whenever I need his guidance, he is always there," Jaivardhan adds.

The young MLA goes on to add that his father was strongly against his decision to contest elections from Raghogarh. Jaivardhan told India Today TV that Digvijay Singh guided him on how to familiarise himself with the constituents, live among them.

Responding to a question about Congress politicians usually wishing for their sons or daughters to enter politics, Digvijay Singh said to Rajdeep Sardesai, "I tried to dissuade him (Jaivardhan) as much as possible... Politics is a career where you have to go back to the people every five years and family is the first casualty. I got into it early so I hardly saw my children growing up."

"There is no vacuum in politics. If he (Jaivardhan) did not come into politics, someone else would have represented Raghogarh so I think it should be left to the choice of the person who wants to do it rather than force him to do it and personally I have always been that guy who doesn't force my opinion on anyone," Digvijay Singh adds.

In response to a question about the collapse of the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, Jaivardhan Singh said that it was very unfortunate. He went on to add that six ministers also resigned who were linked to certain people. Digvijay Singh also refuted claims that he asked the then MP CM Kamal Nath to make his son a minister in the state cabinet.

Talking about what he would do if Jaivardhan comes to him saying that BJP has offered him a ministerial berth and he wants to join the party, Digvijay Singh says, "No! I won't spare my son. I will see him defeated in Raghogarh."

"I see a very bright future for myself in the Congress and for the Congress as a whole let me tell you that of course, I was personally very disappointed when Scindiya Ji left and even what Sachin Pilot Ji is going through right now.... I had a very good personal relationship with both Scindia Ji and Sachin Pilot for the last 6-10 years...When he left suddenly I was very surprised because there was so much he had achieved in the Congress... Personally, I feel that maybe in the short run he feels he has done the right thing but in the long run, I feel he will regret it because BJP is a very different party," Jaivardhan Singh said.

The MLA from Raghogarh in MP went on to add, "In my first election, there was a certain advantage but in my second election, which they fought in 2018, my father didn't come campaign for me."

Talking about the Congress leadership, Digvijay Singh says, "Nehru-Gandhi family has never imposed itself on anyone. If you see the history, after Sanjay Gandhi Ji's untimely demise Rajiv Gandhi came in because the Congressmen, in general, wanted Rajiv Ji to come in and he came in.. Now after another very tragic incident when we lost Rajiv Ji, Sonia Ji refused flatly refused to come into politics even when we formed the government in 2004 she refused to become the prime minister so she has been one person who has been consistent that she is not after power."

Expressing his views on allegations that the Congress leadership continues to push for Rahul Gandhi's political success, Digvijay Singh says, "On the contrary, you forget what she told her son when he became the vice president of the Congress party. She told him that power is like poison, better to be careful. I don't think she pushed her son. It was voluntarily Rahul Gandhi like my son Jaivardhan who came into politics on his own."

Jaivardhan Singh says if he was not a politician, he would have been in the social sector.

Talking about one piece of advice he would give his son, Digvijay Singh said, "India first, party second, self as the third. Also, keep yourself close to the ground, connect with people and keep your ears close to the ground, feel the pulse of the people."

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