Buzz: Congress Bracing For Another Jolt?

Bhopal: There's significant speculation that Kamal Nath may defect to the BJP, dealing yet another blow to the Congress party in the lead-up to the national elections, sources close to him have informed the media.

The former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh arrived in Delhi on Saturday, intensifying these speculations. However, as per sources, he has yet to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

BJP state leaders, including VD Sharma, have expressed their openness to his joining, adding to the mounting speculation.

Reports suggest that residents of Chhindwara, which Mr. Nath has represented nine times in the Lok Sabha, are keen for him to join the BJP to ensure better development. Sources indicate that he is contemplating this possibility.

Currently, the constituency is represented by Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath, who is also rumored to be considering a switch to the BJP alongside his father.

While Nakul Nath had removed 'Congress' from his social media bio, sources clarify that his bio never explicitly mentioned the party's name.

Kamal Nath's visit to Delhi coincides with a two-day national council held by the BJP, attended by top leaders from across the country.

Although he has not officially resigned from the Congress, sources suggest that he is dissatisfied with the current state of the party, which he feels has diverged significantly from the one he joined five decades ago. He reportedly conveyed his unhappiness to the party leadership.

The sources indicate that Kamal Nath feels sidelined, particularly amidst Rahul Gandhi's engagement with the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, while the party is being predominantly managed by senior leaders such as Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal, and Randeep Surjewala.

Contrary to speculation, his discontentment does not stem from being overlooked for a nomination to the Rajya Sabha. Senior leader Digvijaya Singh has reportedly urged him not to leave the party.

The Congress has refuted reports of Kamal Nath's departure, emphasizing his longstanding association with the party. They recalled former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi referring to him as her "third son" during the 1979 campaign.

If Kamal Nath were to defect, it would deal a significant blow to the Congress party ahead of the national elections, compounding its challenges amid a series of high-profile exits, including former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan's recent move to join the BJP.

His departure would leave the party exposed in Madhya Pradesh, where it secured only one seat in the 2019 elections.