Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister plans 1,000-km foot march from Ujjain to Ayodhya over alleged irregularities in temple trusts
Bhopal: Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh has announced his retirement from active politics, declaring that he will now dedicate himself to what he described as the protection of Sanatan Dharma and raising issues related to alleged irregularities in temple trusts.
The veteran Congress leader, whose Rajya Sabha tenure ended in June, said he had completed his political journey after decades in public life. Reflecting on his career, Singh noted that the Congress had given him the opportunity to serve as a five-time MLA, two-time Member of Parliament, two-time Rajya Sabha member and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
Addressing the media, Singh said he would no longer participate in active politics, deliver speeches at political rallies or comment on political developments through social media. Instead, he said his mission would be to work for the protection of faith and religious values for the rest of his life.
As part of this new phase, Singh announced a nearly 1,000-kilometre foot march beginning on October 2, which will start from the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and conclude at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He said the march would seek to highlight alleged irregularities in the Mahakal Temple Trust and the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Trust.
Singh stated that he would not personally invite political leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, to participate in the march. Instead, he said he intends to invite Santosh Dubey, a kar sevak who was injured during the Ram temple movement, as the chief guest for the yatra.
Known for his outspoken views, Digvijaya Singh has remained one of the Congress party’s most prominent leaders for decades. Born in Raghogarh, Madhya Pradesh, he entered electoral politics in 1977, was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1984, and served two consecutive terms as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from 1993 to 2003. He later represented the state in the Rajya Sabha and continued to play a significant role in national politics.
Singh’s announcement marks a significant moment in Indian politics, although it remains to be seen how long he stays away from active political engagement as he shifts his focus toward religious and social causes.
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