India, Dec. 1 -- Nearly two years after assuming office, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari appears increasingly isolated inside his own party, with a series of recent organisational decisions once again underscoring how little authority he wields.

Despite being the State Congress chief, Patwari continues to watch major appointments and political actions unfold around him-without his approval, influence or imprint.

Patwari's tenure has been marked by limited control from the outset. Apart from securing the appointment of Reena Bourasi Setia as Mahila Congress president, very few organisational posts carry his stamp. The most striking example came recently when Rahul Gandhi intervened directly to finalise the list of district...