On Kamal Nath, Congress puts up brave face, but state unit has some anxieties

Even as senior Congress leaders insisted there was no possibility of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath leaving the party for the BJP, some in the party’s state unit admitted things had gone downhill ever since the disastrous showing in the Assembly polls and his ouster as state president.

“Kamal Nath has not dismissed any of the rumours. He has not said even once that he would take strict action against those spreading rumours. This has caused many in the party anxiety…this is a ploy by the BJP to spoil Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra which will enter Madhya Pradesh soon,” said one senior party leader.

Another leader weighed in that the party high command had botched his exit as the state chief. Nath was projected as the CM face and enjoyed almost full autonomy in decision making – from ticket distribution to the campaign strategy – but the party’s final tally suggested the gamble had not paid off.

Said another senior leader, “He was not taken into confidence over the appointment of Jitu Patwari (as his replacement as MP unit chief). He was subsequently sidelined by the Congress party and disappeared from posters. He was miffed and did not turn up for Patwari’s nomination, meeting him only weeks later.”

Leaders also said that Nath was frustrated with the party not taking immediate action against spokesperson Alok Sharma, who alleged in an interview that the Congress veteran may have had an understanding with the BJP and that the “arrogance of one person spoiled the entire election atmosphere”.

On Saturday, Nath and his son Nakul arrived in Delhi after abruptly cancelling his programme in Chhindwara, setting off political circles abuzz with rumours of the father and son joining the BJP.

Nath was touring his