Digvijaya Singh

From 1969 - 1971 as the Chairman of N.P Raghogarh, several significant works were undertaken:

- Prior to 1969, Raghogarh was facing severe drinking water scarcity. Residents had to fetch water from the mountainous Pach Kuinya at 2 a.m. In order to overcome this crisis, a comprehensive town's water supply scheme was initiated and the water scarcity issue was resolved to the satisfaction of its citizen.

- Proper arrangements for street lights were made to illuminate the dark roads, ensuring safety and visibility.

- Many roads in the town were in a dilapidated condition with potholes. The roads were repaired and paved with tar, making them motorable.

- The municipal council started the operation of the Gandhi Study Center and Library for the benefit of the residents. The said study center was well stocked with reference materials, books, newspapers and periodicals.

- Prior to 1969 the office of Nagar Palika was housed in a rented two-room building near the bus stand, the Municipal Office was relocated to a new building constructed at Jai Stambh Maidan to efficiently manage municipal operations.

- During my tenure started the tradition of having grand festivities held over two days at Pachkuinya Hill to commemorate the pious occassion of Hanuman Jayanti.

- The municipal council also commenced organizing trade fairs in Raghogarh this facilitated in contributing to trade and commerce activities.

These initiatives greatly improved the infrastructure and quality of life in Raghogarh during the aforementioned period.

I contested the cooperative elections in 1974-1975 with Shri Rajendra Singh Sisodia, the father of Mahendra Singh Sisodia, who was a minister in Kamal Nath's government in 2018. We all unanimously elected Rajendra Singh Sisodia as president.

At that time, the Guna District Cooperative Bank was in good shape. The District Cooperative Bank served as a major support center for our farmers. It facilitated the primary functions of farming by providing the credit facility, supply of fertilizers on regular basis. During that period farmers could get loans from the cooperative bank without any problems, with default being rare and fertilizers being available on time.

In 1977, I became an MLA and served as a director of the District Cooperative Bank until 1979.

Member of legislative assembly 1977-84 (77-82 minister for Agriculture/ Animal husbandry/ Fisheries 1982-84 Irrigation/ Command Area development

When the elections were held in 1980, I won my seat for second time. Congress won a majority in Assembly and Arjun Singhji became the Chief Minister.

As part of democratic process the newly elected MLA's were tasked to elect the leader of house. The election was held for the post of CLP leader between Arjun Singh, Shivbhanu Singh Solanki and Kamal Nath. However prior to voting Kamal Nathji extended his support to Arjun Singhji. Arjun Singhji became the Chief Minister and Shivbhanu Singh Solankiji became the Deputy Chief Minister.

In Arjun Singhji cabinet, I was entrusted with the responsibility of the Agriculture Ministry, the Veterinary Ministry, and the Fisheries Ministry. I thoroughly enjoyed working in these three departments and had a great experience of serving the citizens of Madhya Pradesh. Arjun Singhji gave me full opportunity and continued to guide me from time to time.

In 1980, as soon as we assumed office, there was a significant problem with paddy seeds in Chhattisgarh. Then Arjun Singh Ji sent me there on a government plane with our Agriculture Secretary, Ashok Bajpai, to help resolve the problem. Later, there was some mismanagement in paddy procurement, and I had to again intervene to rectify it.

After serving as Agriculture Minister for two and a half years, he appointed me as Irrigation Minister, along with the responsibility of Command Area Development. That time gave me even more administrative experience. Arjun Singh Ji was a very good administrator and a very good Chief Minister. I learned a lot from working with him.

Member Lok Sabha 1984-1989 & 1991-1994

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh- 1993-2003 ( 3 months he was in parliament during his cm ship)

2014-2020 & 2021 - Onwards

I joined the Congress party in 1971, that's where my journey with the Congress Party began. I worked my way up from the grassroots and subsequently became the General Secretary of the Guna District Congress Committee (DCC). At that time, Ratanlal Lahoti was the District Congress Committee President - Guna. His father, Shri Ramesh Lahoti, an advocate who later became the Chief Justice of India.

When organizational elections were held in 1972, Raman Lal Premi became the president of our District Congress Committee. I was then elected a member of the State Congress Committee and continued to serve as a member of the PCC.

The Youth Congress was formed under the chairmanship of Dr. Bhanwar Singh Porte Ji. I was appointed the organization's state general secretary. I remained the general secretary of the state Youth Congress Committee until 1980.

Sanjay Gandhi Ji's blessings were always upon me. He gave me many opportunities between 1977 and 1980, when I was the General Secretary of the Youth Congress. Sanjay Gandhi Ji frequently offered his suggestions, which I followed.

In 1979, when the Lok Sabha elections were underway, he told me that "Digvijay, Madhavrao Scindia should be encouraged to join the Congress party". Arjun Singh Ji was the Leader of the Opposition. We were both summoned and tasked with figuring out how to bring Madhavrao Scindia into the Congress party.

I went to meet Scindia ji; we were in Bombay at the time. After discussing it with him, I simply told him, "Whether you join Congress or not, please do meet Sanjay Gandhiji once." Arjun Singhji and I took him to meet Indira Gandhiji and Sanjay Gandhiji. Although I don't know what their internal discussions were, but after we came out, Scindiaji told me, "I have agreed in principle to join the Congress party. But I want to talk to some of my people, so I've asked for some time." A week later, he came and accepted Congress membership.

When Scindiaji was a Member of Parliament in Delhi, I was a Congress MLA. So, I toured with him extensively, especially during the period of severe drought in Madhya Pradesh from 1978 to 1979. The then Janata Party government was found wanting as far as relief work is concerned. Scindia and I toured together to address this issue. From that point on, our relationship grew even closer. We were both of the same age, so we played cricket and squash together in Gwalior. I had developed a good relationship with him.

With the tragic untimely passing away of Sanjay Gandhiji, Rajiv Gandhi decided to join politics and subsequently became the General Secretary of the AICC. He wanted to infuse young blood in Congress party from all parts of country who could work with him to strengthen the party. I was shortlisted for the same, I was called to Delhi for an interview with Rajiv Gandhi Ji. He asked me, "Digvijay, what do you want to do?" I said, "I want to work with you in the organization." He said, "You're a minister, how can you resign?" I said, "I'll resign today, if I get the opportunity to work with you." He smiled and said, "Okay, will you resign?" I said, "I will." Anyway, he had asked me to contest the Lok Sabha elections again, and I fought election and won. At that time there was a Congress wave in country, we won over 425 seats.

After Indira Gandhi Ji's tragic demise, he became the National President of the AICC, and after becoming Prime Minister, he appointed me as the President of the State Congress Committee. This was a challenge for me, because at that time, Madhya Pradesh had many senior and experienced leaders. There was Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Ji, Prakash Chand Sethi JI, Vidya Charan Shukla Ji, Arjun Singh Ji, Shyama Charan Shukla Ji, Madhavrao Scindia Ji, Kamal Nath Ji, and Motilal Vora Ji. I was only 38 years old.

After taking charge as State President I resolved to take everyone along. I had previously worked in the organization, as the District Congress General Secretary and as the General Secretary of the State Youth Congress Committee. Therefore, I faced no difficulties and was well-known and connected with people in every district. I had cordial relations with all our senior Congress leaders and the people. Although I always worked with Arjun Singh with complete loyalty, I never let any other senior Congress leader feel that I did not maintain good relations with them. "Thus, I served as President of the State Congress Committee for three consecutive years, maintaining contact with people from every corner of Madhya Pradesh. For this, I express my gratitude to Rajiv ji for giving me this opportunity."

In 1992, organizational elections were held. Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel were observers. Dilip Singh Bhuria and I were contested the election for the post of State Congress President and I was declared the winner after counting of votes as president of the State Congress Committee. I continued to have a very good relationship with Dilip Singh Bhuria even after the elections, there was never any animosity between us.

General Secretary All India Congress 2004-2017

Member CWC 2018 till now