New Delhi – Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s surprise trip to the national capital on Saturday has set tongues wagging about the possibility of him and his son Nakul Nath, a Member of Parliament, switching allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections.
Arrival in Delhi Sparks Rumors
The speculation was fanned by Nath and his son reaching Delhi from Chhindwara on Saturday afternoon. Their visit coincided with Nakul Nath removing the mention of Congress party from his social media bio, adding fuel to the rumors. Senior leaders from both the Congress and BJP made comments alluding to ongoing talks between Nath and the BJP top brass in Delhi, though there was no official confirmation from either side.
Enigmatic Responses from Kamal Nath
When reporters caught up with Nath after his arrival in Delhi, the former CM maintained an enigmatic stance. He neither confirmed nor denied the speculation outright, saying “It is not about denying; you people are getting excited. If something like this happens, I will inform you all first.”
VIDEO | “If I were to take a decision in this regard, I will inform you (the media) first,” says ex-Madhya Pradesh CM and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath on reports of him joining the BJP.
STORY | Kamal Nath arrives in Delhi amid speculation over switch to BJP
READ:… pic.twitter.com/57PXzNRpal
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 17, 2024
BJP Leader Claims Talks in Progress
A senior BJP leader from Madhya Pradesh was more forthcoming about potential talks with Nath. “Discussions with senior leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda are going on,” the leader stated. “If all goes well, he (Nath) will join the BJP on Sunday in the presence of senior-most BJP leaders.”
Rajya Sabha Polls and Recent Tensions
If the speculation is true, the trigger for Nath’s potential defection is likely the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on February 27th. Five seats in Madhya Pradesh are up for grabs, and while the Congress is expected to win one, Nath is believed to have been keen on a Rajya Sabha berth for himself. However, the party chose Digvijaya Singh’s loyalist Ashok Singh instead, much to Nath’s disappointment.
The Congress has 66 legislators in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly. Nath’s exit, if it materializes, could upset the calculations for the Rajya Sabha polls if some MLAs choose to follow his lead. The BJP leader cited “a few issues to be ironed out” which necessitated Nath’s visit to Delhi.
Rift within Congress and Nath’s Distancing
Sajjan Singh Verma, a senior Congress leader and a close associate of Nath’s, acknowledged a rift between the former CM and the party leadership. “He (Nath) felt extremely hurt over some issue in Congress, which I cannot speak about,” Verma told reporters, indicating his last conversation with Nath was on Friday.
Verma himself raised eyebrows by removing the mention of Congress from his own social media handles, mirroring Nakul Nath’s actions. “A person does politics for honor and self-respect. He (Kamal Nath) has gone to Delhi to meet senior leaders,” Verma said, refusing to divulge more details but hinting at a potential fallout. “Wherever he will go, I will go with him,” Verma added, signaling his loyalty towards Nath over the party.
Longstanding Rumors and Tensions
There have been rumors of Nath being in touch with the BJP ever since the Congress held him primarily responsible for its resounding defeat in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections late last year. After the loss, Nath was removed as the state party president, and his nominee was not considered for the leader of the opposition position.
“He (Nath) was trying to get a Rajya Sabha seat from Madhya Pradesh, but the party chose senior leader Ashok Singh, a close aide of Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh. A day before the Rajya Sabha nomination on February 13, Nath hosted a dinner for all Congress leaders. After the announcement of Ashok Singh’s name, Nath was unhappy,” a Congress leader said on the condition of anonymity.
When Scindia toppled the Congress govt in MP, All the Congress workers stood with Kamal Nath’s leadership and ideology.
the news that’s speculating is baseless. can you imagine Indira Gandhi’s third son leaving Congress?
— MPCC Chief Jitu Patwari ji#Kamalnath pic.twitter.com/hIOkFBs3co
— Ashish 𝕏|…. (@Ashishtoots) February 17, 2024
Verma confirmed that Nath was upset over being denied a Rajya Sabha nomination. However, Jitu Patwari, the current MP Congress president who replaced Nath, dismissed the rumors as “baseless.” “Can you even dream that Indira ji’s third son can leave Congress? Under whose leadership we contested the elections two months ago? For whom the Congress workers were sacrificing everything to make him the chief minister? Can he leave the Congress?” Patwari asked rhetorically.
Past Controversies and BJP Criticism
Nath has been a target of the BJP in the past over his alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and corruption scandals. It remains to be seen if the veteran leader will indeed cross over to the BJP amid the current tensions within the Congress party.
As the speculation continues to swirl, all eyes are now on Nath’s meetings in Delhi and the potential ramifications for both the Congress and the BJP, especially in the context of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Read more about Mimi Chakraborty Resigned as Trinamool MP on Feb 15, here.
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