The tragic deaths of children in Chhindwara, reportedly caused by consumption of contaminated cough syrup, have not only exposed administrative lapses but also laid bare the growing disunity within the Madhya Pradesh Congress. The principal Opposition party, already grappling with internal rifts, has struggled to mount a coordinated response to an issue that has deeply shaken public sentiment across the State.
Since September 6, several children between the ages of 0 to 6 have died from kidney failure, allegedly linked to a cough syrup, Coldrif. The State Government, accused of apathy and delayed action, stirred into response only after the death toll reached 22.
Preliminary laboratory tests indicated the syrup’s toxicity as a likely cause, prompting the then Chhindwara Collector to immediately ban its sale. However, by the time the administration moved, the damage had already been done.
While the episode became a major talking point in the media, the Congress’s delayed and fragmented reaction diluted what could have been a strong political offensive against the ruling BJP. Deep divisions between Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Umang Singhar came into sharp focus, with both leaders pursuing separate courses of action rather than presenting a united front.
On October 6, Patwari visited Chhindwara to meet the bereaved families, expressing solidarity and demanding stringent punishment for those responsible. Two day later, on October 8, Singhar reached Chhindwara on his own, meeting affected families independently. The absence of coordination between the two leaders was striking, and their parallel visits reinforced the perception of discord within the party’s top ranks.
The disunity became more pronounced when both leaders addressed separate press conferences on October 7. While Umang Singhar, accompanied by Rajasthan’s Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, held a press conference in New Delhi attacking the Mohan Yadav Government for its negligence, Jitu Patwari simultaneously convened another press interaction in Bhopal over the same issue.
Party insiders admit that this lack of coordination has once again exposed the uneasy relationship between Patwari and Singhar — a divide that has persisted despite repeated attempts by the central leadership to bridge it. Political observers believe that the Congress, despite having a potent issue to corner the government, has failed to capitalise on public anger due to its internal bickering.
As investigations continue into the deaths and the administration faces growing scrutiny over the sale and regulation of spurious medicines, the Congress’s inability to act in unison risks weakening its credibility as an effective Opposition force in Madhya Pradesh — especially at a time when public trust and decisive leadership are most needed.
