Will ‘Nath’ Go with ‘Kamal’? Congress’ Pre-Election Uncertainty

Kumar Rakesh

Political activity has increased regarding speculations about Madhya Pradesh’s Senior Congress leader and Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath joining BJP. Due to which Congress has come into damage control mode. If sources are to be believed, party leaders have started contacting the Congress MLAs. The biggest danger is that this may turn into a major exodus of leaders a few months before the Lok Sabha elections. Sources said that Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Umang Singhar and other top leaders are talking to the MLAs one by one.

Kamal Nath said that he hasn’t talked to the BJP

On Sunday afternoon, Kamal Nath talked to reporters at his home in Delhi. Kamal Nath said that he has not talked to BJP yet about joining them.  After former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath left for Delhi on Saturday, there is speculation that they might join the BJP.

 

#WATCH | Delhi: After meeting former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, Congress leader Sajjan Singh Verma says, "I had a discussion with him (Kamal Nath). He said that right now his focus is on how the caste equations will be on 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. He said that he… pic.twitter.com/LPmTaGNSvX

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024

 

Kamal Nath became less popular in Congress after the results of the elections for the state legislature

Actually, Kamal Nath has been left out of the Congress since the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections were announced. The Congress lost a lot of votes in the assembly elections. After losing, Kamal Nath was blamed. Rahul Gandhi didn‘t like this and removed him as the State President and Jitu Patwari became the State President instead of him. Kamal Nath was not given the Leader of the Opposition position in the House.  Even Kamal Nath was not given the post of Leader and the responsibility was handed over to Umang Singhar. Since then, Kamal Nath has started to move away from the politics of the state.

This is troubling Congress

As per a report, the Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh who are engaged in damage mitigation measures are closely monitoring the MLAs, former MLAs, and Congress officials who are deemed to be close to Kamal Nath, his son, and MP Nakul Nath. It is believed that Congress will be weakened in Madhya Pradesh due to the switching of a large group of MPs. Furthermore, if there are a large number of defectors, they will also be protected from the anti-defection law. Among the leaders currently in discussion are former Minister Sajjan Singh Verma, Sukhdev Panse, MLA Satish Singh Sikarwar, Sanjay Uike, Nilesh Uike, Sohan Valmiki, Vijay Chaure, Kamlesh Shah, and Lakhan Ghanghoria. Former Minister and former MP Sajjan Singh Verma has stated that Kamal Nath has not yet decided to join the BJP, but it is clear that if he takes any big step then he will follow the experienced leader.

 

#WATCH | On being asked if Kamal Nath will join BJP, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh says "…I am constantly in touch with Kamal Nath, the Congress leadership is having discussions with him. A person like him, who started with Congress, whom we all considered to be the third son… pic.twitter.com/lOe9wKIyKa

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024

 

Former minister Sajjan Singh Verma said – these are only speculations

Former Minister Sajjan Singh Verma says that only three things matter in politics – honor, respect and self-respect. When these are hurt, a leader is forced to make big decisions. At present the news coming out is only speculation. If a stalwart leader who has dedicated 40 years of his life to Congress does not get the respect he deserves, then he is bound to take big decisions. We have been party followers for four decades and will continue to follow the party.

Kamal Nath’s departure will be a big blow for Congress

Sajjan Singh Verma and Panse are among the MLAs who are currently in Delhi with Kamal Nath. If Kamal Nath joins BJP, it will be a big blow for Congress. Actually, BJP is trying to repeat its excellent performance in the last Lok Sabha elections. Party is working on a plan to enter the election season with more strength. The thing to note is that Kamal Nath has not denied the speculations. According to reports, the BJP leadership has been in touch with Kamal Nath for several weeks.