Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, referred to Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath as "Sholay" film characters 'Jai' and 'Veeru,' who he said were battling over the division of looted booty, news agency PTI reported. His criticism came just days after Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala compared Kamal Nath, the Madhya Pradesh unit president, and Digvijaya Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, to the characters 'Jai' and 'Veeru' played by actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in the 1975 film.
According to Congress sources, Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath will be in Delhi on Tuesday to meet with the party's leadership, PTI reported.
In response to the Congress leaders' Delhi visit, CM Chouhan stated: "Jai-Veeru duo was called to Delhi. As newspapers reported, they (Congress leaders) are saying that the BJP is creating confusion (about differences between Nath and Singh). Why has Delhi (Congress leadership) called them?" "Jai and Veeru are fighting between themselves over the 'loot ka maal' (plundered booty)," he alleged.
"Even before 2003, Mr. Bantadhar (as the BJP calls Digvijaya Singh) looted and destroyed the entire state. Even during the 15-month rule, Kamal Nath ji turned Madhya Pradesh into a centre of plundering. Now the dispute is only about who will be the next to loot and how and who will get what type of share in it (the booty). Delhi is also involved in this," Chouhan alleged.
Surjewala stated on Saturday that the bond between Singh and Nath was similar to that of Dharmendra (Veeru) and Amitabh Bachchan (Jai) in "Sholay."
"...Neither Gabbar Singh (film's lead villain) could get them into a fight (in the movie) nor will BJP’s Gabbar Singh be able to get it done here," Surjewala said in Bhopal on Saturday over an alleged conflict over ticket-distribution in Congress.
Earlier this month, a video of Nath surfaced in which he allegedly encouraged his party workers to "tear" Singh's garments over the refusal of a ticket to a Shivpuri politician. This has fueled speculation of a schism within the party over candidate selection.
However, the previous chief ministers attempted to make light of the situation and present a unified front. The BJP said on Friday that Singh had withdrawn from campaigning due to a "dispute" over ticket allocation.