Senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Minister Mukesh Nayak on Saturday (December 27, 2025) resigned from the post of media wing president of the party’s State unit amid rumours of discontent with some leaders. The party, however, rejected his resignation.
In a letter to M.P. Congress Committee (MPCC) president Jitu Patwari, Mr. Nayak said that he was willingly stepping aside to make way for new leadership in the Congress. Mr. Patwari, however, did not accept the resignation.
“The resignation submitted by Mukesh Nayak Ji, president of the State Congress Media Department, due to personal reasons, has been rejected by Jitu Patwari Ji, the State Congress President. You are expected to continue performing your duties for the strengthening of the organisation as before,” a letter from State Congress general secretary (organisation) Sanjay Kamle read.
As per party insiders, Mr. Nayak, a former State Cabinet Minister, is believed to be upset after a 13-member talent hunt committee appointed by him was cancelled by MPCC general secretary (media and communication) Abhay Tiwari on Friday.
The committee had been formed on the instructions of party’s Central leadership for a talent hunt programme to search for efficient spokespersons.
On December 9, Mr. Kamle had announced an 11-member committee for the talent hunt programme with Mr. Tiwari as its chairperson, while Mr. Nayak’s name was missing.
On December 23, Mr. Nayak issued an order for the appointment of the 13-member panel for the talent hunt programme with MLA Vikrant Bhuria as its head and MLA Arif Masood as the coordinator, while Mr. Tiwari was made co-coordinator. This order was, however, cancelled by Mr. Tiwari on Friday saying that it lacked “competent approval”.
“The talent hunt committee is not formed under any department but under the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, the division of its work is permitted only by the competent authority,” Mr. Tiwari’s order read.
A M.P. Congress leader told The Hindu that the problem stems from the lack of coordination between the younger generation of leaders and the old guard in the State unit.
“Mukesh ji was at full liberty to appoint the members but perhaps due to some communication gaps, the list was rejected by the leadership. Issuing two lists for the same panel and officially cancelling the one issue by him only proves that there is a need for better coordination between functionaries,” the leader said.
Mr. Kamle, however, denied any discontent in the State unit and said that if there are any “minor disagreements”, they will be resolved.
“The party rejected his resignation immediately. There were some minor issues but everybody will sit together and resolve them. The party needs leaders like him for rebuilding and it is our responsibility to ensure smooth coordination between senior and young leaders,” Mr. Kale said, speaking to The Hindu.
Published – December 28, 2025 12:40 am IST
