The Indian National Congress (INC) has issued a show-cause notice to former Member of Parliament (MP) Laxman Singh, who is also the brother of veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, for making public statements that have been deemed "derogatory" and "disrespectful" towards senior party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi. The notice asserts that Singh's remarks have "crossed all acceptable limits" and have caused "serious damage to the image and integrity" of the Congress party.
The show-cause notice was issued following complaints from MPCC President Jitu Patwari and MPCC MLA & In-charge Harish Chaudhary regarding Laxman Singh's repeated public statements. The notice directs the ex-MLA to submit a written explanation within 10 days.
According to party insiders, Laxman Singh recently stated that Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law, Robert Vadra, were 'naïve' and that the country was suffering because of their immaturity. Singh made these remarks during a condolence meeting in his native place, Raghogarh, Madhya Pradesh, in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks. He criticized Robert Vadra's statement that the terrorists attacked because they were not allowed to offer namaz on the road, deeming it irresponsible and a threat to national security.
In addition to his comments on Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra, Laxman Singh has also targeted Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, suggesting he was complicit with terrorists and that the Congress party should withdraw its support for the National Conference leader. Singh has stated that he does not care if the Congress party expels him, as he believes national interest is more important.
This is not the first time Laxman Singh has targeted Rahul Gandhi. Last year, he criticized Gandhi following his trip to the United States, reminding him that former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee never criticized the country abroad when he was the leader of the opposition.
The Congress party views Singh's repeated public criticism as damaging to the party's image and a violation of party discipline. The show-cause notice emphasizes that his recent statements, particularly the derogatory remarks against Rahul Gandhi, have crossed all acceptable limits. Singh has been given 10 days to respond to the notice, after which the party will decide on further action, which could include expulsion.