Congress plays down speculation of Kamal Nath switching to BJP

Nath, reportedly was trying to get a Rajya Sabha seat from MP but the party chose senior leader Ashok Singh, a close aide of Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh.

Reports of former Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Kamal and his son Lok Sabha MP Nakul Nath flying down to Delhi on Saturday have once again resulted in speculation that the veteran Congress leader could switch sides to the BJP.

The speculation was fanned by comments from both Congress and BJP leaders claiming that Nath was in talks with senior BJP leaders in the Capital, but there was no confirmation from either side.

Prominent Congress leaders and veteran Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh sought to play down the reports saying that he had spoken to Nath and he was in Chhindwara.

AICC in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Jitendra Singh also said that he did not think that Nath would leave the Congress party and would be joining any other party.

Rumours about Kamal Nath speaking with the BJP reportedly gained momentum since it became clear that the Congress held him primarily responsible for its resounding defeat in the state assembly elections late last year.

The party was expected to win the elections. After the loss, Nath was removed as state party president and his nominee was not considered for leader of opposition position. Then came the Rajya Sabha election.

On February 10, amidst the speculation on him switching sides, Kamal Nath had posted a message on X affirming his allegiance to the Congress' ideology.

Nath, reportedly  was trying to get a Rajya Sabha seat from MP but the party chose senior leader Ashok Singh, a close aide of Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh. Five seats in Madhya Pradesh are up for grabs in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on February 27, and the Congress is expected to win one.