Big setback to INDIA alliance: Ex-MP CM, Congress strongman Kamal Nath may join BJP after Congress refuses RS ticket, say sources

Kamal Nath, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress strongman, is mulling a switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the party's leadership denied him a Rajya Sabha ticket, India Today TV reported citing sources aware of the matter. 

"Kamal Nath is likely to switch to the BJP and the Congress leadership has made no attempts to reach out to him. Things have come to a knot with Kamal Nath actively lobbying for a Rajya Sabha ticket," sources aware of the matter said.

They claimed that Kamal Nath even met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for a Rajya Sabha nomination. "The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister even hosted MLAs to endorse his nomination, but the leadership refused to blink," they added. 

Congress blames Kamal Nath for fall of MP govt

The sources, however, added that the party "bent backwards to please" Nath. They also blamed Kamal Nath and his "adamance" for the fall of the Madhya Pradesh government. These sources added Nath refused to cooperate with anyone sent from Delhi. 

"Senior leader JP Agarwal was shunted out because he (Kamal Nath) didn't want him as the in-charge and refused to corporate with him. Randeep Surjewala was given the assignment later, but Kamal Nath continued to have a one-way traffic as far as ticket distribution and campaigning in Assembly elections were concerned," the sources said. 

There were reports suggesting that Kamal Nath, along with his son Nakul Nath and other MPs may switch over to the BJP.

Kamal Nath on joining BJP

The speculations peaked when the former Madhya Pradesh CM arrived in Delhi on Saturday. While speaking to reporters, Nath said if there was any such thing, he would inform the media first.

"It is not about denying, you are saying this, you people are getting excited. I am not getting excited, this side or that side, but if there would be any such thing, I would inform you first," Nath said. 

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: Kamal Nath to meet Mallikarjun Kharge, may resign as MP Congress chief: Report

Kamal Nath's close aide spills the beans

Kamala Nath's close aide Sajjan Singh Verma said: "Three things work in politics- respect, insult and self-respect, when these are hurt a person changes his decisions... When such a top politician who has done a lot for Congress and the nation in the last 45 years, thinks of moving away from the party, then all three factors work behind it. No decision has been taken that Kamal Nath ji is going, right there is just speculation..."

MP Congress on Kamal Nath-BJP reports

The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Saturday refuted rumors of party veteran Kamal Nath and his son, MP Nakul Nath, defecting to BJP. PCC president Jitu Patwari, during a press conference, dismissed the news about former CM Kamal Nath as baseless.

He emphasized the long-standing relationship between the Nath family and the Nehru-Gandhi family, dating back to the 1970s. Patwari recounted Nath's 45-year political journey, highlighting his seven-year tenure as Congress president in Madhya Pradesh and his steadfast support for the party.  

"In his political career of 45 years, he spent the last seven years as president of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh," Patwari said. "He stood shoulder to shoulder with all of us Congress workers and stood firmly for the party in every situation.  By imbibing the ideas of the people, he led us to perform our duties fearlessly while playing the role of the opposition," he said.

Also Read: Ex-Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, son may join BJP ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024

Jitu Patwari on Kamal Nath's government in MP

Patwari further questioned the possibility of Kamal Nath, often referred to as Indira Gandhi's third son, leaving the Congress party. Patwari was a cabinet minister in the 15-month Kamal Nath govt. He also highlighted that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi called Kamal Nath her "third son".

"I remember the moment when Jyotiraditya Scindia toppled the Congress govt.  Even then, every Congress worker stood under the guidance and leadership of Kamal Nath," he said.  "I want to say that the news is baseless.  Can anyone ever imagine that Indira ji's third son can leave Congress? Can this thought ever come even in dreams? Just two months ago we fought elections and every Congress worker kept sacrificing everything to make Kamal Nath the chief minister.  Can Kamal Nath talk about abandoning us? When Scindia was toppling the govt, our supporters were being beaten up by his goons because Kamal Nath was chief minister.  Can Kamal Nath leave us?" Patwari asked.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Farooq Abdullah's NC to go solo in J&K in another setback to INDIA bloc