India, Aug. 18 -- The appointments of 71 district Congress presidents in Madhya Pradesh, including former ministers and lawmakers, to restructure and strengthen the party has triggered protests and resignations.

State Congress chief Jitu Patwari said at least 25 leaders have resigned, and efforts were on to convince them to withdraw their resignations. Patwari said Rahul Gandhi informed 12 senior leaders, like Jaivardhan Singh, former assembly members Omkar Singh Markam, and Siddharth Kushwaha, of their district-level responsibilities.

"These powerful leaders are capable of serving as state presidents, but the party has named them as district presidents to expand their responsibilities. Jairvardhan is like my brother and a youth icon. N...