Bhopal: Veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh completed his second consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha on June 21, ending a 12-year tenure during which he frequently raised issues ranging from national security and education to farmers’ concerns and social welfare.
Reflecting on Singh’s Parliamentary journey, his Personal Secretary OP Sharma told IANS that the veteran Congress leader remained actively engaged in Parliamentary proceedings and committee work throughout his tenure in the Upper House.
According to Sharma, Singh raised 1,010 questions in Parliament over the past 12 years on subjects related to governance, public welfare, agriculture, education, internal security and Constitutional issues.
“Digvijaya Singh consistently used Parliamentary forums to raise issues concerning ordinary citizens. Whether it was farmers, students, labourers or matters related to governance, he sought to bring those concerns before Parliament,” Sharma, who has been associated with Digvijaya Singh for several years, said.
A Congress politician since 1977, Digvijaya Singh has held several key positions during his political career. He served as a five-time MLA, handled significant portfolios such as Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries in the Madhya Pradesh government, represented the state in the Lok Sabha and remained the Chief Minister from 1993 to 2003 before entering the Rajya Sabha in 2014.
Apart from participating in debates and discussions in the House, Digvijaya Singh served on a number of Parliamentary committees, including those dealing with Home Affairs, Finance, Corporate Affairs and Urban Development.
He was also a member of the Rules Committee, Privileges Committee and several select committees constituted to examine legislation.
Sharma said some of Digvijaya Singh’s notable interventions came through Parliamentary committees.
He referred to Singh’s efforts to seek discussions within the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs following remarks made by the former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik regarding the Pulwama terror attack.
He also recalled Digvijaya Singh’s stand during the ethnic violence in Manipur in 2023, when the veteran Congress leader urged the committee to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Northeastern state.
“At a time when Manipur was witnessing widespread violence, he believed Parliamentary committees should focus on the crisis and its humanitarian impact. He formally raised the issue before the committee,” Sharma said.
The former Chief Minister’s Personal Secretary also highlighted Digvijaya Singh’s tenure as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports.
During that period, the committee examined issues related to examination irregularities and paper leak controversies that had triggered concerns among students across the country.
(IANS)
