Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has unleashed a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the departure of several of his close associates, including MLA Kamlesh Shah and Chhindwara mayor Vikram Ahake, to the BJP. In a X post on Monday, Nath accused the BJP of resorting to deception and manipulation, alleging the misuse of power and resources to intimidate opposition leaders ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Expressing dismay over the exodus of his trusted aides from the Congress stronghold of Chhindwara, Nath condemned the BJP’s tactics of falsehood and coercion. Shah’s defection to the BJP last Friday, followed by Ahake’s entry into the ruling party on Monday, has left Nath visibly perturbed. Chhindwara, a bastion that Nath has represented in the Lok Sabha nine times, holds significant political importance for the Congress.
Nath, who has faced speculation regarding his purported discussions with the BJP, reaffirmed his commitment to Chhindwara’s development, denouncing the BJP’s attempts to turn the region into a battleground. Emphasizing the BJP’s history of deceit and opportunism during elections, Nath expressed confidence in the electorate’s discernment, predicting a fitting response to the BJP’s tactics.
In contrast, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, currently in Chhindwara, exuded confidence in the BJP’s prospects, asserting that the people desire liberation from the Congress. Vijayvargiya emphasized the BJP’s commitment to governance and development, claiming widespread disillusionment with the Congress’s alleged family-centric governance.
Amid the political upheaval, the Congress has nominated Nakul Nath, Kamal Nath’s son, as its candidate for the Lok Sabha seat, while the BJP has fielded Vivek Bunty Sahu. The defections of prominent Congress leaders like Shah and Ahake to the BJP have sparked controversy, with accusations and counter-accusations flying between the two parties.
Despite rumors suggesting the possible defection of Kamal Nath and Nakul Nath to the BJP, both leaders have vehemently denied such claims, dismissing them as baseless. As tensions escalate and political maneuvers intensify, the fate of Chhindwara’s political landscape remains uncertain.
