Bhopal, July 31: Congress's election in-charge in Madhya Pradesh Deepak Babaria was assaulted by his party men, prompting Rahul Gandhi to call an emergency meeting to bridge the rift ahead of Assembly polls in the state. Babaria, who was picked for the crucial task by Rahul himself, was beaten up by supporters of a party faction in Rewa late Sunday.

During a press conference at the Rewa circuit house, Babria was asked who would be the chief minister if the Congress comes to power in Madhya Pradesh. "It would probably be Jyotiraditya Scindia or Kamal Nath," the Congress poll in-charge reportedly responded.

Asked if Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh is also being considered, Babaria replied: “Whatever you understand.” As soon as Babria retuned to a room after the press conference, Congress workers of a faction barged in and allegedly assaulted him. Interestingly, Singh is an influential leader in the Rewa-Satna-Sidhi region.

Another group of Congress workers rescued Babria from the attack. Singh condemned the incident and said the attackers were not his workers. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) didn't miss the chance to take a dig at Congress. Madhya Pradesh home minister Bhupendra Singh wrote to Babaria offering to “protect him from Congress leaders and workers”.

Miffed over the incident, the central leadership of the Congress called state president Kamal Nath, election campaign committee chairman Jyotiradity Scindia, former CM Digvijaya Singh, Ajay Singh and Babaria for an emergency meeting today. The state is scheduled to go to the polls by the year-end.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2018 10:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).