For the Congress party, electoral challenges are only part of the struggle. From time to time, remarks by senior leaders stir controversy — leaving the high command firefighting perceptions that clash with the party’s core political narrative. One such recurring figure at the center of these debates is veteran leader Digvijaya Singh.
Recently, Singh sparked discussion after he praised the organisational strength of the RSS–BJP, posting an old photograph of Narendra Modi and highlighting how a grassroots worker rose to become Chief Minister and eventually Prime Minister. Soon after, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor echoed the sentiment, saying the party must also focus on strengthening its internal organisation — adding yet another layer to the debate.
A career marked by frequent storms
Known for speaking bluntly, Singh has often found himself at odds with the party line. His second political innings after 2005 saw him emerge as a key national voice — and also as a magnet for controversies that still follow him.
In January 2023, he questioned the circumstances around the 2016 surgical strikes and raised doubts regarding the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, alleging that the government had not been transparent with Parliament. The BJP accused Congress of disrespecting the armed forces, while Congress leaders distanced themselves from his remarks, clarifying that Singh’s views were not reflective of the party’s official position.
Old controversies that linger
Even during the UPA years, Singh’s statements created political friction. His insistence that the 2008 Batla House encounter was “fake” and his demand for a judicial probe placed the Manmohan Singh government under pressure.
His 2010 visit to Azamgarh — which he said was to understand why the town was repeatedly linked to terror cases — further intensified criticism, with opponents accusing him of playing to a polarising narrative.
That same year, Singh publicly took on then Home Minister P. Chidambaram over the government’s anti-Naxal stance, calling him “intellectually arrogant” in a newspaper article — a rare instance of open disagreement within the leadership ranks.
A recurring dilemma for Congress
Digvijaya Singh remains an influential voice in the party, but his outspoken nature repeatedly leaves Congress clarifying and recalibrating its communication strategy. As the leadership attempts to rebuild organisation, morale, and messaging, managing the fallout from such remarks continues to be an ongoing challenge.