In the wake of the Congress party’s disappointing performance in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, speculations arise about Kamal Nath’s resignation as the state party chief. Sources indicate that Nath may meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday to formalize his decision.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a dominant victory, claiming a two-thirds majority with 163 seats out of the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly. In contrast, the Congress managed to secure only 66 seats. The results have prompted introspection within the Congress leadership, with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday involving all 230 candidates to analyze the defeat and discuss the party’s future course.
Nath, who previously served as the Chief Minister, has faced criticism for remarks against leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc during seat-sharing discussions. The party is reportedly displeased with Nath’s interactions and priorities, including not meeting party leaders and workers but engaging with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
This setback comes in the backdrop of the Congress’ earlier triumph in the 2018 state assembly elections when they secured 114 seats and formed the government under Kamal Nath’s leadership. However, subsequent political developments, including the departure of Jyotiraditya Scindia and other MLAs to the BJP, led to the collapse of the Congress government, paving the way for the BJP’s return to power.
The Congress leadership’s discontentment with Nath’s recent actions may culminate in his resignation, marking a significant development in the political landscape of Madhya Pradesh.
