Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath will be in Bengaluru on Sunday as his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-ready-for-both-trust-vote-or-no-confidence-motion-hd-kumaraswamy-tells-speaker-235296">party battles a political crisis</a> to save the coalition government in Karnataka.

His visit assumes significance in the context of efforts mounted by Congress to woo back the rebels to its fold ahead of a possible trial of strength in the Assembly.

Congress leader D K Shivakumar visited the residence of party`s dissident MLA M T B Nagaraj early on Saturday morning to convince him to take back his resignation. Hoskote MLA Nagaraj and Chikballapur Congress MLA Dr K Sudhakar resigned from the Assembly on July 10.

The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath will be in Bengaluru on Sunday as his party battles a political crisis to save the coalition government in Karnataka. His visit assumes significance in the context of efforts mounted by Congress to woo back the rebels to its fold ahead of a possible trial of strength in the Assembly.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath will be in Bengaluru on Sunday as his party battles a political crisis to save the coalition government in Karnataka. His visit assumes significance in the context of efforts mounted by Congress to woo back the rebels to its fold ahead of a possible trial of strength in the Assembly. Congress leader D K Shivakumar visited the residence of party`s dissident MLA M T B Nagaraj early on Saturday morning to convince him to take back his resignation. Hoskote MLA Nagaraj and Chikballapur Congress MLA Dr K Sudhakar resigned from the Assembly on July 10. The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath to visit Karnataka amid political crisis

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday said the Congress-led state government is soon going to bring a law to reserve 70 per cent for the people of the state in private sector jobs.

Nath announced the proposal while speaking in the state assembly.

When asked about the proposal put forth by the Chief Minister, Congress leader Kamleshwar Patel, while welcoming the decision, said locals should be the priority for the government.

"We welcome this decision. The youth and unemployed people of Madhya Pradesh should get opportunities. This should be our first priority. The last government didn't pay attention to this due to which the people stayed unemployed. We feel that giving 30 per cent to outsiders is enough," he said.

Madhya Pradesh's Law Minister PC Sharma said the proposal will soon become law.

"Kamal Nath has said that now 70 per cent reservation will be given to Madhya Pradesh people in those companies who want to invest in the state. We will soon make this a law. In October, Kamal Nath is going to do investors meet conference," he added.

Soon after taking oath as the Chief Minister in December last year, Nath had accused people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of migrating to Madhya Pradesh and stealing local jobs.

The senior Congress leader had said that in his tenure, priority would be given to the natives of Madhya Pradesh in terms of employment.

"Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70 per cent people from Madhya Pradesh get jobs. I've signed file for this. People from states like Bihar, UP come here and locals don't get jobs," Nath had said.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday said the Congress-led state government is soon going to bring a law to reserve 70 per cent for the people of the state in private sector jobs.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday said the Congress-led state government is soon going to bring a law to reserve 70 per cent for the people of the state in private sector jobs. Nath announced the proposal while speaking in the state assembly. When asked about the proposal put forth by the Chief Minister, Congress leader Kamleshwar Patel, while welcoming the decision, said locals should be the priority for the government. "We welcome this decision. The youth and unemployed people of Madhya Pradesh should get opportunities. This should be our first priority. The last government didn't pay attention to this due to which the people stayed unemployed. We feel that giving 30 per cent to outsiders is enough," he said. Madhya Pradesh's Law Minister PC Sharma said the proposal will soon become law. "Kamal Nath has said that now 70 per cent reservation will be given to Madhya Pradesh people in those companies who want to invest in the state. We will soon make this a law. In October, Kamal Nath is going to do investors meet conference," he added. Soon after taking oath as the Chief Minister in December last year, Nath had accused people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of migrating to Madhya Pradesh and stealing local jobs. The senior Congress leader had said that in his tenure, priority would be given to the natives of Madhya Pradesh in terms of employment. "Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70 per cent people from Madhya Pradesh get jobs. I've signed file for this. People from states like Bihar, UP come here and locals don't get jobs," Nath had said.

Madhya Pradesh: 70% reservation for locals in private sector jobs, says Kamal Nath

All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi on Monday&nbsp;urging him to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kanpur-congress-workers-to-go-on-hunger-strike-urging-rahul-gandhi-to-not-resign-as-party-chief-231343">take back his decision to resign</a> from the post of the party President.

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The meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Chief Ministere&nbsp;comes in the backdrop of continuing suspense over Gandhi's future role in the party.

Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the 17th general elections.

According to a report by PTI, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy will be present at the meeting with Mr Gandhi today afternoon.

However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Congress workers staged a hunger strike outside party Headquarters in Delhi and&nbsp;urged Gandhi scion&nbsp;to take back his resignation.

(With inputs from agencies)

All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi on Monday urging him to take back his decision to resign from the post of the party President.

All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi on Monday urging him to take back his decision to resign from the post of the party President. Delhi: All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi today, urging him to take back his decision to resign from the post of the party President. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/triR2qPUxG — ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2019 × The meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Chief Ministere comes in the backdrop of continuing suspense over Gandhi's future role in the party. Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the 17th general elections. According to a report by PTI, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy will be present at the meeting with Mr Gandhi today afternoon. However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC. So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a hunger strike outside party Headquarters in Delhi and urged Gandhi scion to take back his resignation. (With inputs from agencies)

Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states to meet Rahul Gandhi today to urge against the resignation decision 

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said he had offered to resign from the post of state Congress president after the party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

His remarks come in the backdrop of reports that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had expressed disappointment that none of the party leaders, holding top posts, took responsibility for the party's poll rout after the Gandhi scion decided to resign last month.

Rahul has been adamant on stepping down as the Congress chief.&nbsp;

Nath said he takes responsibility for the party's poor performance in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress bagged just one out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats.

"I take responsibility for the party's defeat in Lok Sabha elections in the state. Rahul Gandhi is right.

"I do not know who is responsible for the defeat but I had offered to quit the party post," Nath told reporters on the sidelines of a function here late Thursday night.

"I personally believe that I am responsible for the party's defeat. I do not know who else in responsible, he added.

A senior Congress leader said Nath had offered his resignation as state party president after the Lok Sabha poll results.

"Nath had said he takes moral responsibility for the party's defeat in the state," he added.

Nath was appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief in April 2018, while he took over as chief minister of the state in December last year.

Nath had offered to resign from the post of MPCC president after the Congress wrested power from the BJP after a gap of 15 years and he became chief minister.

However, he was asked by the Congress high command to continue in the party post.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said he had offered to resign from the post of state Congress president after the party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said he had offered to resign from the post of state Congress president after the party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. His remarks come in the backdrop of reports that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had expressed disappointment that none of the party leaders, holding top posts, took responsibility for the party's poll rout after the Gandhi scion decided to resign last month. Rahul has been adamant on stepping down as the Congress chief. Nath said he takes responsibility for the party's poor performance in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress bagged just one out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats. "I take responsibility for the party's defeat in Lok Sabha elections in the state. Rahul Gandhi is right. "I do not know who is responsible for the defeat but I had offered to quit the party post," Nath told reporters on the sidelines of a function here late Thursday night. "I personally believe that I am responsible for the party's defeat. I do not know who else in responsible, he added. A senior Congress leader said Nath had offered his resignation as state party president after the Lok Sabha poll results. "Nath had said he takes moral responsibility for the party's defeat in the state," he added. Nath was appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief in April 2018, while he took over as chief minister of the state in December last year. Nath had offered to resign from the post of MPCC president after the Congress wrested power from the BJP after a gap of 15 years and he became chief minister. However, he was asked by the Congress high command to continue in the party post.

Offered to quit as Madhya Pradesh Congress chief post party's Lok Sabha poll debacle: Kamal Nath

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Saturday successfully underwent a surgery for trigger finger at the government-run Hamidia Hospital here.

He is likely to be discharged from the hospital by evening, doctors said.

"The chief minister was admitted to Hamidia Hospital around 9 am on Saturday. A team of doctors performed a surgery for a medical condition of trigger finger," Aruna Kumar, dean of Gandhi Medical College (Hamidia Hospital) said.

"He has been kept under the observation for a few hours and is likely to be discharged by evening," she added.

An official said that the surgey was performed on Nath's right hand.

Medical tests had been conducted on him at Hamidia Hospital on Friday evening, after which he was sent home and called for the surgery in the morning.

Trigger finger is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking or catching while bending or straightening a finger.

Meanwhile, state Congress media cell coordinator Narendra Saluja said Nath has appealed to the party workers not to visit him at the hospital to avoid inconvenience to other patients and the staff.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed Nath's decision to undergo treatment at the government-run hospital.

"Kamal Nath ji, my best wishes to you for healthy life. Your decision to avail treatment at Hamidia (hospital) is welcome and commendable. At the same time, I want the facilities you got there should also be extended to the common people so that they don't have to run around for this," he said.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Saturday successfully underwent a surgery for trigger finger at the government-run Hamidia Hospital here. He is likely to be discharged from the hospital by evening, doctors said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Saturday successfully underwent a surgery for trigger finger at the government-run Hamidia Hospital here. He is likely to be discharged from the hospital by evening, doctors said. "The chief minister was admitted to Hamidia Hospital around 9 am on Saturday. A team of doctors performed a surgery for a medical condition of trigger finger," Aruna Kumar, dean of Gandhi Medical College (Hamidia Hospital) said. "He has been kept under the observation for a few hours and is likely to be discharged by evening," she added. An official said that the surgey was performed on Nath's right hand. Medical tests had been conducted on him at Hamidia Hospital on Friday evening, after which he was sent home and called for the surgery in the morning. Trigger finger is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking or catching while bending or straightening a finger. Meanwhile, state Congress media cell coordinator Narendra Saluja said Nath has appealed to the party workers not to visit him at the hospital to avoid inconvenience to other patients and the staff. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed Nath's decision to undergo treatment at the government-run hospital. "Kamal Nath ji, my best wishes to you for healthy life. Your decision to avail treatment at Hamidia (hospital) is welcome and commendable. At the same time, I want the facilities you got there should also be extended to the common people so that they don't have to run around for this," he said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath undergoes trigger finger surgery at government hospital

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-kamal-nath-calls-on-pm-modi-discusses-issues-concerning-his-state-224944">Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath</a> has met Home Minister Amit Shah and asked him to release over Rs 800 crore as central grant to check crime against women and children in his state more effectively.

Some other issues related to the state were discussed during the Sunday meeting, officials said on Monday.

Nath, who took over as the chief minister in December, has also written a letter to the home minister in this regard.

In the letter, he drew the home minister's attention towards one of the sensitive issues of the crime against women and children.

"Considering the sensitivity of this issue, the state government is proposing a project for comprehensive set up of investigating officers/legal advisors/prosecutors and counsellors apart from DNA laboratories and mobile forensic teams exclusively for dealing with the crime against women and children. The budget outlay required is Rs 880 crore," Nath said.

He requested the home minister to support this initiative as "this will help in dealing with one of the most sensitive issues in the state".

In a horrific incident, an eight-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal earlier this month.&nbsp;

According to the latest data of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), as many as 34,651 cases of rape were registered in 2015. The number increased to 38,947 in 2016.&nbsp;

Overall crimes against women rose from 3,29,243 in 2015 to 3,38,954 in 2016, according to the NCRB data.&nbsp;

The highest number of rapes has been reported from Madhya Pradesh (4,882), followed by Uttar Pradesh (4,816) and Maharashtra (4,189) in 2016, it said.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh has reported 6,016 cases of kidnapping and abduction of children in 2016, the data said. There were 2,467 cases of child rape in the state in 2016.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has met Home Minister Amit Shah and asked him to release over Rs 800 crore as central grant to check crime against women and children in his state more effectively.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has met Home Minister Amit Shah and asked him to release over Rs 800 crore as central grant to check crime against women and children in his state more effectively. Some other issues related to the state were discussed during the Sunday meeting, officials said on Monday. Nath, who took over as the chief minister in December, has also written a letter to the home minister in this regard. In the letter, he drew the home minister's attention towards one of the sensitive issues of the crime against women and children. "Considering the sensitivity of this issue, the state government is proposing a project for comprehensive set up of investigating officers/legal advisors/prosecutors and counsellors apart from DNA laboratories and mobile forensic teams exclusively for dealing with the crime against women and children. The budget outlay required is Rs 880 crore," Nath said. He requested the home minister to support this initiative as "this will help in dealing with one of the most sensitive issues in the state". In a horrific incident, an eight-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal earlier this month. According to the latest data of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), as many as 34,651 cases of rape were registered in 2015. The number increased to 38,947 in 2016. Overall crimes against women rose from 3,29,243 in 2015 to 3,38,954 in 2016, according to the NCRB data. The highest number of rapes has been reported from Madhya Pradesh (4,882), followed by Uttar Pradesh (4,816) and Maharashtra (4,189) in 2016, it said. Madhya Pradesh has reported 6,016 cases of kidnapping and abduction of children in 2016, the data said. There were 2,467 cases of child rape in the state in 2016.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath seeks over Rs 800 crore central grant to tackle crime against women

The BJP on Monday claimed 95 per cent of the farm loan beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh have got benefits of up to mere Rs 15,000 and not to the tune of Rs 2 lakh as claimed by the ruling Congress.

The main opposition party said not a single farmer has got loan waiver benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced under the scheme by the Congress government, which assumed office in December last year.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP leader Narottam Mishra said, "95 per cent farmers covered under the farm loan waiver scheme have got benefits of only up to Rs 15,000.

"Not a single farmer in the state has got the benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced by the Congress.

"Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced that he would change the CM if he failed to implement the loan waiver scheme within 10 days of coming to power.

"Now, the states Congress government itself has accepted in advertisements published in newspapers that the second phase of the loan waiver scheme is being launched now," he said.

The state government has failed to implement this scheme even after six months. Now, Rahul should change the chief minister for failing to waive loans within 10 days (as promised earlier), said Mishra, a former minister.

Chief Minister Kamal Nath completed six months in office on Monday. In run up to the November Assembly polls, Gandhi had announced to write-off individual agriculture loans of up to Rs 2 lakh within 10 days of his party assuming power.

In early May, Nath had said crop loans of over 21 lakh farmers have been cleared so far by his government.

Mishra also accused the Nath government of not submitting the complete list of farmers to the Centre for providing them financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per annum under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana.

There are 80 lakh registered farmers in Madhya Pradesh, but the state government has provided the list of only 43,000 farmers to the Centre for providing assistance under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana.

"The state government is anti-farmer and creating hindrances in path of extending benefits to cultivators, the BJP leader said. 
 
He said the Congress government has "failed" on every front, including ensuring power supply, curbing crime against women, maintaining law and order and implementing loan waiver, in the last six months.

Instead, the Nath administration is blaming the opposition for the state's problems, he said.

"They are blaming the opposition for power cuts, crime and other issues. They are in the government, who is stopping them from taking action? Mishra asked.

To a question on the stability of the Nath government, being supported by the MLAs of the SP, the BSP and some independent lawmakers, the BJP leader said it will fall on its own.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The BJP on Monday claimed 95 per cent of the farm loan beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh have got benefits of up to mere Rs 15,000 and not to the tune of Rs 2 lakh as claimed by the ruling Congress.

The BJP on Monday claimed 95 per cent of the farm loan beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh have got benefits of up to mere Rs 15,000 and not to the tune of Rs 2 lakh as claimed by the ruling Congress. The main opposition party said not a single farmer has got loan waiver benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced under the scheme by the Congress government, which assumed office in December last year. Addressing a press conference here, BJP leader Narottam Mishra said, "95 per cent farmers covered under the farm loan waiver scheme have got benefits of only up to Rs 15,000. "Not a single farmer in the state has got the benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced by the Congress. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced that he would change the CM if he failed to implement the loan waiver scheme within 10 days of coming to power. "Now, the states Congress government itself has accepted in advertisements published in newspapers that the second phase of the loan waiver scheme is being launched now," he said. The state government has failed to implement this scheme even after six months. Now, Rahul should change the chief minister for failing to waive loans within 10 days (as promised earlier), said Mishra, a former minister. Chief Minister Kamal Nath completed six months in office on Monday. In run up to the November Assembly polls, Gandhi had announced to write-off individual agriculture loans of up to Rs 2 lakh within 10 days of his party assuming power. In early May, Nath had said crop loans of over 21 lakh farmers have been cleared so far by his government. Mishra also accused the Nath government of not submitting the complete list of farmers to the Centre for providing them financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per annum under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana. There are 80 lakh registered farmers in Madhya Pradesh, but the state government has provided the list of only 43,000 farmers to the Centre for providing assistance under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana. "The state government is anti-farmer and creating hindrances in path of extending benefits to cultivators, the BJP leader said. He said the Congress government has "failed" on every front, including ensuring power supply, curbing crime against women, maintaining law and order and implementing loan waiver, in the last six months. Instead, the Nath administration is blaming the opposition for the state's problems, he said. "They are blaming the opposition for power cuts, crime and other issues. They are in the government, who is stopping them from taking action? Mishra asked. To a question on the stability of the Nath government, being supported by the MLAs of the SP, the BSP and some independent lawmakers, the BJP leader said it will fall on its own.

Madhya Pradesh farmers got benefits of up to Rs 15,000, not Rs 2 lakh: BJP

Within a short span of the formation of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government with a wafer-thin majority, the question being asked by people across the board in Madhya Pradesh is whether it's changed (after 15 years of BJP rule) for the better or worse?

The image of the state government has&nbsp;started declining and what's added velocity to this fall is the crushing defeat the Congress party has suffered in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Nath began his innings as Madhya Pradesh chief minister on a robust note, especially given his reputation as an experienced administrator and long exposure as a Union Minister. The background and also the hybrid political stature exclusively derived from the closeness to the Nehru-Gandhi family notwithstanding, Nath assumed the seat of power in Madhya Pradesh with the unwritten rider that a large part of his strength in the Assembly was courtesy Digvijaya Singh, senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who commands the biggest support base in the state cabinet that also includes his son Jaivardhan Singh, who holds the portfolio of the high profile Urban Development and Housing department. In this backdrop, those in knowledgeable circles even started saying that besides the chief minister, there is also an extra-constitutional power centre in the state.

Regarding Nath's grip on administration, everyone having a ringside view knows how particular the chief minister is when it comes to spending long hours at Mantralaya - the state secretariat. They do credit him for introducing a new work culture that keeps the babudom&nbsp;on its toes.&nbsp;

The bureaucracy doesn’t have much to complain on this count but what's keeping them jittery is the sword of transfers constantly hanging over them.

Within a short time span, there's been a slew of transfers at all levels and the signals are that the transfer industry is now fully entrenched. Adding to the downside also is the anger that's brewing among the Congress workers. A senior party leader, who preferred to call himself a "disciplined party worker" said the other day “God save his party” after the electoral debacle in general election 2019.&nbsp;

Referring to his party managing to win only 1 of the 29 parliamentary seats in the state, he said the chief minister is not accessible to party workers like him, who have devoted their entire life to the Congress party. This is not the way forward, he opined adding even the Congress President is annoyed as the chief minister could hold his own turf by getting his son elected from Chhindwara, his traditional parliamentary constituency, while every other Congress candidate was defeated in Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh began what's supposed to be a "five-year run" with the tall pre-2018 Assembly election promise that all farmers' debt would be waived once the Congress gets elected to power. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had shouted from the rooftop about the waiver of rural loans to woo the farmers during electioneering for the general election to the state Assembly. This one promise became a waterloo moment for Congress party in the parliamentary election as the farmers felt robbed when it came to the implementation of this promise. Now the dilemma on the ruling side is the banks telling the farmers who have benefitted from the loan waiver scheme that they would not be eligible for new loans. No wonder they are feeling cornered and cheated.

This summer season, mercury has soared crossing all limits and just as the people feeling the heat like never before, the state Congress unit bosses both in the government and the party are feeling the political heat as there is the growing talk of the Kamal Nath government losing its majority on the floor of the state Assembly. BJP insiders are responding to this speculation by saying that they are not interested in destabilising or pulling the rug out from under the present government. They will prefer to wait and watch it crumble under its own weight and growing dissidence within. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

Within a short span of the formation of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government with a wafer-thin majority, the question being asked by people across the board in Madhya Pradesh is whether it's changed (after 15 years of BJP rule) for the better or worse?

Within a short span of the formation of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government with a wafer-thin majority, the question being asked by people across the board in Madhya Pradesh is whether it's changed (after 15 years of BJP rule) for the better or worse? The image of the state government has started declining and what's added velocity to this fall is the crushing defeat the Congress party has suffered in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections. Nath began his innings as Madhya Pradesh chief minister on a robust note, especially given his reputation as an experienced administrator and long exposure as a Union Minister. The background and also the hybrid political stature exclusively derived from the closeness to the Nehru-Gandhi family notwithstanding, Nath assumed the seat of power in Madhya Pradesh with the unwritten rider that a large part of his strength in the Assembly was courtesy Digvijaya Singh, senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who commands the biggest support base in the state cabinet that also includes his son Jaivardhan Singh, who holds the portfolio of the high profile Urban Development and Housing department. In this backdrop, those in knowledgeable circles even started saying that besides the chief minister, there is also an extra-constitutional power centre in the state. Regarding Nath's grip on administration, everyone having a ringside view knows how particular the chief minister is when it comes to spending long hours at Mantralaya - the state secretariat. They do credit him for introducing a new work culture that keeps the babudom on its toes. The bureaucracy doesn’t have much to complain on this count but what's keeping them jittery is the sword of transfers constantly hanging over them. Within a short time span, there's been a slew of transfers at all levels and the signals are that the transfer industry is now fully entrenched. Adding to the downside also is the anger that's brewing among the Congress workers. A senior party leader, who preferred to call himself a "disciplined party worker" said the other day “God save his party” after the electoral debacle in general election 2019. Referring to his party managing to win only 1 of the 29 parliamentary seats in the state, he said the chief minister is not accessible to party workers like him, who have devoted their entire life to the Congress party. This is not the way forward, he opined adding even the Congress President is annoyed as the chief minister could hold his own turf by getting his son elected from Chhindwara, his traditional parliamentary constituency, while every other Congress candidate was defeated in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh began what's supposed to be a "five-year run" with the tall pre-2018 Assembly election promise that all farmers' debt would be waived once the Congress gets elected to power. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had shouted from the rooftop about the waiver of rural loans to woo the farmers during electioneering for the general election to the state Assembly. This one promise became a waterloo moment for Congress party in the parliamentary election as the farmers felt robbed when it came to the implementation of this promise. Now the dilemma on the ruling side is the banks telling the farmers who have benefitted from the loan waiver scheme that they would not be eligible for new loans. No wonder they are feeling cornered and cheated. This summer season, mercury has soared crossing all limits and just as the people feeling the heat like never before, the state Congress unit bosses both in the government and the party are feeling the political heat as there is the growing talk of the Kamal Nath government losing its majority on the floor of the state Assembly. BJP insiders are responding to this speculation by saying that they are not interested in destabilising or pulling the rug out from under the present government. They will prefer to wait and watch it crumble under its own weight and growing dissidence within. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Kamal Nath-led Congress government feels the heat in Madhya Pradesh

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/ready-for-floor-test-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-kamal-nath-220240">Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath</a> Thursday called on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/narendra-modi-20-would-propel-affordable-housing-in-india-224832">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> and discussed issues pertaining to his state.

The meeting at the prime minister's residence lasted about half an hour during which Nath wished Modi for assuming office for the second term, a statement from the Madhya Pradesh government said.

Nath, a senior Congress leader, also discussed in detail about various issues pending with the central government for approval and release of funds to the state government, it said.&nbsp;

He urged Modi to intervene in the matter and get the pending issues cleared and fund released at the earliest, it said.&nbsp;

Modi assured Nath that he will instruct the ministries concerned to clear various pending issues and disburse the funds as early as possible. He further assured him of all possible help in future too, the statement added.

The Prime Minister's Office later posted a photograph of the two on its Twitter handle.

Nath was sworn in as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in December 2018.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed issues pertaining to his state. The meeting at the prime minister's residence lasted about half an hour during which Nath wished Modi for assuming office for the second term, a statement from the Madhya Pradesh government said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed issues pertaining to his state. The meeting at the prime minister's residence lasted about half an hour during which Nath wished Modi for assuming office for the second term, a statement from the Madhya Pradesh government said. Nath, a senior Congress leader, also discussed in detail about various issues pending with the central government for approval and release of funds to the state government, it said. He urged Modi to intervene in the matter and get the pending issues cleared and fund released at the earliest, it said. Modi assured Nath that he will instruct the ministries concerned to clear various pending issues and disburse the funds as early as possible. He further assured him of all possible help in future too, the statement added. The Prime Minister's Office later posted a photograph of the two on its Twitter handle. Nath was sworn in as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in December 2018.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath calls on PM Modi, discusses issues concerning his state

Congress president Rahul Gandhi reportedly told that he wanted to work for the party's ideology and not keen on any party post during Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp;

The Congress president offered to quit as party president during CWC meeting but it was unanimously rejected. &nbsp;

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress president reportedly said, "Mahatma Gandhi fought for ideology and for people, irrespective of their cast and religion, but never took any post", according to sources.

He also accused senior party leaders of pressuring him to give tickets to their sons in the elections without naming Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and former finance minister P Chidambaram.

Rajasthan chief minister Gehlot`s son Vaibhav Gehlot contested from Jodhpur parliamentary constituency and lost, while Kamal Nath`s son Nakul Nath has won from Chhindwara and P Chidambaram`s son Karti Chidambaram registered a victory from Sivaganga.

When Jyotiraditya Scindia suggested that the party should consolidate leadership in specific regions, Gandhi, in a satirical tone, questioned him, "Is it necessary to consolidate leadership in a region so that chief ministers presser the party`s top brass to give tickets to their sons?"&nbsp;

Gandhi also expressed displeasure over sluggishness of the party leaders in raising the Rafale deal issue, sources added.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised party leaders saying that her brother Rahul was left alone when he was criticizing the BJP on its policies.

(With inputs from ANI)

Congress president Rahul Gandhi reportedly told that he wanted to work for the party's ideology and not keen on any party post during Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, reported news agency ANI.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi reportedly told that he wanted to work for the party's ideology and not keen on any party post during Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, reported news agency ANI. The Congress president offered to quit as party president during CWC meeting but it was unanimously rejected. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress president reportedly said, "Mahatma Gandhi fought for ideology and for people, irrespective of their cast and religion, but never took any post", according to sources. He also accused senior party leaders of pressuring him to give tickets to their sons in the elections without naming Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and former finance minister P Chidambaram. Rajasthan chief minister Gehlot`s son Vaibhav Gehlot contested from Jodhpur parliamentary constituency and lost, while Kamal Nath`s son Nakul Nath has won from Chhindwara and P Chidambaram`s son Karti Chidambaram registered a victory from Sivaganga. When Jyotiraditya Scindia suggested that the party should consolidate leadership in specific regions, Gandhi, in a satirical tone, questioned him, "Is it necessary to consolidate leadership in a region so that chief ministers presser the party`s top brass to give tickets to their sons?" Gandhi also expressed displeasure over sluggishness of the party leaders in raising the Rafale deal issue, sources added. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised party leaders saying that her brother Rahul was left alone when he was criticizing the BJP on its policies. (With inputs from ANI)

Don't want any post, want to work for party's ideology: Rahul Gandhi told CWC

After a humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, according to the sources, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has offered his resignation at Congress Working Committee meeting But his resignation has not been accepted by the Committee.. Watch full video to know more.

Rahul Gandhi offers resignation in CWC meeting, not accepted by committee: Sources

Hours after the BJP in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/congress-madhya-pradesh-government-will-fall-on-its-own-bjp-220113">Madhya Pradesh</a> asked the Congress government to prove its majority and wrote to the state governor for convening a special session of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday said he was all prepared to go for the floor test.

Nath also claimed that he had proven the majority of his coalition government "four times" in the last five months, and is ready to do so again.

Earlier in the day, the BJP wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel, asking her to convene a special session of the House.

"I have already told them...The BJP is trying it for long. I have proved majority in the House four times in the last five months and I am ready for floor test again," Nath told PTI late evening.

He said the BJP was talking about the instability of the Congress-led government as it wanted to save itself from getting "exposed" on its erstwhile corrupt rule.

The chief minister said the BJP had lost on the floor of the House on earlier occasions as well but didn't elaborate.

On earlier occasions, the Congres had managed to elect Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the party even after the BJP demanded the division of votes.

The Congress had also passed the supplementary Budget and regular Budget in the House.

In the Assembly polls last year, the Congress won 114 of the state's 230 seats, two short of the majority mark of 116. The Bahujan Samaj Party, having two MLAs, and Samajwadi Party, which has one, are supporting the Congress. There are four Independents. The BJP won 109 seats.

In his letter to the governor, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Gopal Bhargava stated that the party wanted a discussion on important issues like the farm loan waiver and (to) test the government's strength.

The development came a day after the majority of exit polls predicted the return of the BJP-led NDA to power for the second term.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Hours after the BJP in Madhya Pradesh asked the Congress government to prove its majority and wrote to the state governor for convening a special session of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday said he was all prepared to go for the floor test.

Hours after the BJP in Madhya Pradesh asked the Congress government to prove its majority and wrote to the state governor for convening a special session of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday said he was all prepared to go for the floor test. Nath also claimed that he had proven the majority of his coalition government "four times" in the last five months, and is ready to do so again. Earlier in the day, the BJP wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel, asking her to convene a special session of the House. "I have already told them...The BJP is trying it for long. I have proved majority in the House four times in the last five months and I am ready for floor test again," Nath told PTI late evening. He said the BJP was talking about the instability of the Congress-led government as it wanted to save itself from getting "exposed" on its erstwhile corrupt rule. The chief minister said the BJP had lost on the floor of the House on earlier occasions as well but didn't elaborate. On earlier occasions, the Congres had managed to elect Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the party even after the BJP demanded the division of votes. The Congress had also passed the supplementary Budget and regular Budget in the House. In the Assembly polls last year, the Congress won 114 of the state's 230 seats, two short of the majority mark of 116. The Bahujan Samaj Party, having two MLAs, and Samajwadi Party, which has one, are supporting the Congress. There are four Independents. The BJP won 109 seats. In his letter to the governor, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Gopal Bhargava stated that the party wanted a discussion on important issues like the farm loan waiver and (to) test the government's strength. The development came a day after the majority of exit polls predicted the return of the BJP-led NDA to power for the second term.

Ready for floor test: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath

Terming the United Nations' move of designating <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-issues-order-to-freeze-masood-azhars-assets-impose-travel-ban-215544&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjp19Sr-v7hAhWyjuYKHaxNDCUQFjAEegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1C5DmE00G8R7hLRhr6kweW">Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar</a> as a global terrorist a "diplomatic win" for India, the Shiv Sena Friday lashed out at the Congress for questioning its timing.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party said there is no timing in the fight against terror.

The UN on Wednesday had designated Azhar as a "global terrorist" after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist the Pakistan-based JeM chief, a decade after New Delhi approached the world body for the first time on the issue.

"Pakistan runs a factory of terrorism and Masood Azhar is its director...He is the number one enemy of India. He is the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terror organisation. He is not only responsible for the terror activities in Kashmir, but was also behind the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai," the Sena said.

"Breaking India into pieces is Azhar's dream. This satan was also behind the deadly Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 jawans. Although he claimed the responsibility for the attack, the Congress leaders and Modi opponents alleged that it was done for political gains ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.

It added that<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-not-celebrating-moment-of-great-pride-arun-jaitley-on-masood-azhar-listing-215319/amp&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitu_Lw-v7hAhUcknAKHcYYBIY4ChAWMAV6BAgEEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw3voq0i3jLLbwqXuSqL6naJ"> it was unfortunate that the Congress</a> even asked what did India gain by the UN's listing of Azhar as a "global terrorist".

"Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath went to the extent of questioning the timing of the UN move. There might be a fear in his mind that it may benefit Modi during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. But he should ask the UN about its timing," the Sena said.

One should not think about the timing and emotions while dealing with terrorists, Sena&nbsp;added.

Terming the United Nations' move of designating Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist a "diplomatic win" for India, the Shiv Sena Friday lashed out at the Congress for questioning its timing.

Terming the United Nations' move of designating Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist a "diplomatic win" for India, the Shiv Sena Friday lashed out at the Congress for questioning its timing. In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party said there is no timing in the fight against terror. The UN on Wednesday had designated Azhar as a "global terrorist" after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist the Pakistan-based JeM chief, a decade after New Delhi approached the world body for the first time on the issue. "Pakistan runs a factory of terrorism and Masood Azhar is its director...He is the number one enemy of India. He is the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terror organisation. He is not only responsible for the terror activities in Kashmir, but was also behind the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai," the Sena said. "Breaking India into pieces is Azhar's dream. This satan was also behind the deadly Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 jawans. Although he claimed the responsibility for the attack, the Congress leaders and Modi opponents alleged that it was done for political gains ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. It added that it was unfortunate that the Congress even asked what did India gain by the UN's listing of Azhar as a "global terrorist". "Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath went to the extent of questioning the timing of the UN move. There might be a fear in his mind that it may benefit Modi during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. But he should ask the UN about its timing," the Sena said. One should not think about the timing and emotions while dealing with terrorists, Sena added.

Shiv Sena slams Congress for questioning timing of JeM chief Masood Azhar's listing as a 'global terrorist'

Comparisons are inevitable perhaps but also unfair, says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath who makes his political debut as the Congress's Lok Sabha candidate from a seat that has long been identified with his father.

The MBA graduate from Boston and Doon School alumnus said he wants to take forward the Chhindwara model of development established by his father, a nine-time MP from the constituency, and asked for some time to prove himself.

His aim will be to push for the maximum number of jobs for the youth if he wins.

The 44-year-old son of the Congress stalwart said it will be unfair to make comparisons between him and his father who has been in electoral politics for 40 years.

"I have less experience than my father. This is the fifth election that I am campaigning in, the last being the 2018 assembly elections in the state. Give me sometime and I will prove myself," Nakul Nath said.

In his view, unemployment is the "biggest problem" in the area.

"My aim is to bring industries so youth and talented manpower does not leave the region. I want that the people of the area get jobs here itself," he said.

Nakul Nath is pitted against BJP's tribal leader and former MLA Nathan Shah Kavreti. Kavreti started his career with the RSS and is a well-known face in the area. He won the Assembly election in 2013 from Junnardeo in Chhindwara. Though he was not given a ticket in 2018 Assembly election, the BJP decided to try out the Scheduled Cast leader against Nakul Nath.

The Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency with seven assembly seats will vote on April 29, the first of the four-phase polls in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Kamal Nath is also contesting bypoll in the Chhindwara assembly constituency as per the legal requirement of being a member of legislative assembly (MLA) for running the state government. To facilitate his entry into the MP Assembly, Chhindwara MLA Dipak Saxena had resigned from the seat.

The seat has been a Congress bastion since 1957. The only time the party lost it to the BJP was in the 1997 by-election when BJP candidate and former state chief minister Sunder Lal Patna won.

In the 2014 general elections, the BJP had won 26 and the Congress secured three of the state's 29 seats. Kamal Nath defeated BJP's Chandrabhan Kuber Singh by a margin of 116,537 votes from Chhindwara. The Lok Sabha seat has over 15,12,000 voters.

Comparisons are inevitable perhaps but also unfair, says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath who makes his political debut as the Congress's Lok Sabha candidate from a seat that has long been identified with his father.

Comparisons are inevitable perhaps but also unfair, says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath who makes his political debut as the Congress's Lok Sabha candidate from a seat that has long been identified with his father. The MBA graduate from Boston and Doon School alumnus said he wants to take forward the Chhindwara model of development established by his father, a nine-time MP from the constituency, and asked for some time to prove himself. His aim will be to push for the maximum number of jobs for the youth if he wins. The 44-year-old son of the Congress stalwart said it will be unfair to make comparisons between him and his father who has been in electoral politics for 40 years. "I have less experience than my father. This is the fifth election that I am campaigning in, the last being the 2018 assembly elections in the state. Give me sometime and I will prove myself," Nakul Nath said. In his view, unemployment is the "biggest problem" in the area. "My aim is to bring industries so youth and talented manpower does not leave the region. I want that the people of the area get jobs here itself," he said. Nakul Nath is pitted against BJP's tribal leader and former MLA Nathan Shah Kavreti. Kavreti started his career with the RSS and is a well-known face in the area. He won the Assembly election in 2013 from Junnardeo in Chhindwara. Though he was not given a ticket in 2018 Assembly election, the BJP decided to try out the Scheduled Cast leader against Nakul Nath. The Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency with seven assembly seats will vote on April 29, the first of the four-phase polls in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Kamal Nath is also contesting bypoll in the Chhindwara assembly constituency as per the legal requirement of being a member of legislative assembly (MLA) for running the state government. To facilitate his entry into the MP Assembly, Chhindwara MLA Dipak Saxena had resigned from the seat. The seat has been a Congress bastion since 1957. The only time the party lost it to the BJP was in the 1997 by-election when BJP candidate and former state chief minister Sunder Lal Patna won. In the 2014 general elections, the BJP had won 26 and the Congress secured three of the state's 29 seats. Kamal Nath defeated BJP's Chandrabhan Kuber Singh by a margin of 116,537 votes from Chhindwara. The Lok Sabha seat has over 15,12,000 voters.

Phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls: Kamal Nath's son seeks to prove himself in Chhindwara

Tear my son's clothes if he does not deliver, says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath as he campaigns for his son Nakul who is fighting his first elections from Chhindwara.

Invoking his 40-year-old association with the region, Nath says he has now entrusted the task to serve the people of Chhindwara to his son so that he can work for Madhya Pradesh.

"I am where I am because of the love and strength you gave me," Nath says.

"Nakul is not here today but he will serve you. I have given him the responsibility. Take him to task and tear his clothes if he does not deliver," the 72-year-old Congress leader told the locals.

He was speaking at an election rally on Saturday in Dhanora village which comes under the Amarwada assembly seat, about 65 kms from Chhindwara district headquarters.

"We will start a new journey and create history," he told the locals.

Nath has been the longest-serving Member of Parliament (MP) from this Lok Sabha constituency as he served for nine terms and he has now vacated the seat for his son.

The chief minister is also contesting bypoll in the Chhindwara assembly constituency as per the legal requirement of being a member of legislative assembly (MLA) for running the state government.

Nath says due to his efforts the district has a "distinct identity" when it comes to development.

He hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his promises of ensuring Rs 15 lakh in every Indian citizen's bank account, steps against blackmoney and the decision of demonetisation were just "gimmicks and frauds".

"They (Modi and Chouhan) scream we did this, we did that but tell me if they did anything for you?" Nath says, alleging that the two leaders misled the people.

"I want to tell Modiji that while there are no 'acche din' (good days) for the common man, his (Modi's) days are going to end soon," he says.

Modi "harassed" every section of society and under BJP government's watch, farmers in Madhya Pradesh were shot at and their livelihood was hit too, Nath alleged.

Hitting out at the previous BJP government in the state, he charged they "kicked the farmer in the stomach and pointed a gun at his chest".

The chief minister says his government in the state has shown its intent by delivering on the promises made before the 2018 assembly polls.

"As promised, we initiated waiver of loans of the farmers as soon as we took charge in Bhopal and till now I have done so for 22 lakh farmers. Thirty-eight lakh more farmers will be benefitted soon who have a loan of up to Rs 2 lakh," he says.

"We have done the loan waiver in 35-40 per cent cases and I promise it will be done in 100 per cent cases soon," he says.

Nath says the new Congress government in the state has also reduced the cost incurred by poor people to pay electricity bills.

Chhindwara will vote on April 29 along with the single bypoll for the constituency.

In the last general elections, the BJP had won 26 and the Congress secured three seats.

Tear my son's clothes if he does not deliver, says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath as he campaigns for his son Nakul who is fighting his first elections from Chhindwara.

Tear my son's clothes if he does not deliver, says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath as he campaigns for his son Nakul who is fighting his first elections from Chhindwara. Invoking his 40-year-old association with the region, Nath says he has now entrusted the task to serve the people of Chhindwara to his son so that he can work for Madhya Pradesh. "I am where I am because of the love and strength you gave me," Nath says. "Nakul is not here today but he will serve you. I have given him the responsibility. Take him to task and tear his clothes if he does not deliver," the 72-year-old Congress leader told the locals. He was speaking at an election rally on Saturday in Dhanora village which comes under the Amarwada assembly seat, about 65 kms from Chhindwara district headquarters. "We will start a new journey and create history," he told the locals. Nath has been the longest-serving Member of Parliament (MP) from this Lok Sabha constituency as he served for nine terms and he has now vacated the seat for his son. The chief minister is also contesting bypoll in the Chhindwara assembly constituency as per the legal requirement of being a member of legislative assembly (MLA) for running the state government. Nath says due to his efforts the district has a "distinct identity" when it comes to development. He hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his promises of ensuring Rs 15 lakh in every Indian citizen's bank account, steps against blackmoney and the decision of demonetisation were just "gimmicks and frauds". "They (Modi and Chouhan) scream we did this, we did that but tell me if they did anything for you?" Nath says, alleging that the two leaders misled the people. "I want to tell Modiji that while there are no 'acche din' (good days) for the common man, his (Modi's) days are going to end soon," he says. Modi "harassed" every section of society and under BJP government's watch, farmers in Madhya Pradesh were shot at and their livelihood was hit too, Nath alleged. Hitting out at the previous BJP government in the state, he charged they "kicked the farmer in the stomach and pointed a gun at his chest". The chief minister says his government in the state has shown its intent by delivering on the promises made before the 2018 assembly polls. "As promised, we initiated waiver of loans of the farmers as soon as we took charge in Bhopal and till now I have done so for 22 lakh farmers. Thirty-eight lakh more farmers will be benefitted soon who have a loan of up to Rs 2 lakh," he says. "We have done the loan waiver in 35-40 per cent cases and I promise it will be done in 100 per cent cases soon," he says. Nath says the new Congress government in the state has also reduced the cost incurred by poor people to pay electricity bills. Chhindwara will vote on April 29 along with the single bypoll for the constituency. In the last general elections, the BJP had won 26 and the Congress secured three seats.

Tear my son's clothes, take him to task if he does not deliver: Kamal Nath

"It was a political operation," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's officer on special duty (OSD) Praveen Kakkar, while commenting on the two-day-long raids at his residence and official premises.

"Despite the two-day-long raid, they (Income Tax Department) didn't find any document that they could seize, they didn't recover any cash or jewellery. They didn't find anything objectionable, it was a political operation," he told ANI in the early hours of Tuesday.

Raids began on Sunday morning at the residences of Kakkar in Indore and former advisor to Kamal Nath R K Miglani in Delhi, on charges of alleged tax evasion. I-T department officials conducted searches at several locations in Indore, Bhopal, Goa, and NCR.

On Monday, Kakkar's son Salil was picked up by I-T sleuths for interrogation while raids were being carried out at various locations across the country, including the residence of Ashwin Sharma, an associate of Praveen.

It is believed that Ashwin had got most of Praveen's companies registered in the name of Salil.&nbsp;

"It was a political operation," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's officer on special duty (OSD) Praveen Kakkar, while commenting on the two-day-long raids at his residence and official premises.

"It was a political operation," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's officer on special duty (OSD) Praveen Kakkar, while commenting on the two-day-long raids at his residence and official premises. "Despite the two-day-long raid, they (Income Tax Department) didn't find any document that they could seize, they didn't recover any cash or jewellery. They didn't find anything objectionable, it was a political operation," he told ANI in the early hours of Tuesday. Raids began on Sunday morning at the residences of Kakkar in Indore and former advisor to Kamal Nath R K Miglani in Delhi, on charges of alleged tax evasion. I-T department officials conducted searches at several locations in Indore, Bhopal, Goa, and NCR. On Monday, Kakkar's son Salil was picked up by I-T sleuths for interrogation while raids were being carried out at various locations across the country, including the residence of Ashwin Sharma, an associate of Praveen. It is believed that Ashwin had got most of Praveen's companies registered in the name of Salil.

It was a political operation: Kamal Nath's aid Praveen Kakkar on IT raids

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's son Nakul, who Tuesday filed his nomination for the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat, owns movable and immovable assets worth over Rs 660.01 crore.

The figure, mentioned in his affidavit filed along with the nomination papers, is over five times the assets of his parents, which as per MP CM Nath's affidavit stood at over Rs 124 crore.

Nakul Nath, a businessman-turned-politician, holds movable assets worth over Rs 615.93 crore while that of his wife Priya is over Rs 2.30 crore, as per the affidavit.

The value of his immovable assets is over Rs 41.77 crore while his wife does not own any immovable asset, as per the affidavit.

The affidavit stated that Nakul owned these properties in his own name as well as jointly and also through family-controlled companies and trusts. 
Nakul and Priya Nath don't own any vehicles, the affidavit stated.

He owns 896.669 grams of gold bars, 7.630 kilogrammes silver, 147.58 carat diamond and stone jewellery worth over Rs 78.45 lakh while his wife possesses over 270.322 grams gold, 161.84 carat diamond and stone jewellery valued at over Rs 57.62 lakh, the affidavit said.

As per Income Tax Return filed for the year 2017-18, Nakul Nath has shown annual income of over Rs 2.76 crore while his wife's income stood at over Rs 4.18 crore.

He also has deposits in various bank accounts and shares in firms and institutes including Institute of Management Technology (IMT) in its Dubai and Sharjah campus and Span Air Private Ltd.

The affidavit stated that Nakul and his brother jointly own a total of 7.82 acres of land in Chhindwara district.

The poll debutant also shared his five social media accounts including his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Blogger.

Nakul is contesting from Chhindwara constituency, where he is up against the BJP's Natthan Shah, a tribal leader and former MLA.

Nakul has a degree in Business Administration from Bay State College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 
&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's son Nakul, who Tuesday filed his nomination for the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat, owns movable and immovable assets worth over Rs 660.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's son Nakul, who Tuesday filed his nomination for the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat, owns movable and immovable assets worth over Rs 660.01 crore. The figure, mentioned in his affidavit filed along with the nomination papers, is over five times the assets of his parents, which as per MP CM Nath's affidavit stood at over Rs 124 crore. Nakul Nath, a businessman-turned-politician, holds movable assets worth over Rs 615.93 crore while that of his wife Priya is over Rs 2.30 crore, as per the affidavit. The value of his immovable assets is over Rs 41.77 crore while his wife does not own any immovable asset, as per the affidavit. The affidavit stated that Nakul owned these properties in his own name as well as jointly and also through family-controlled companies and trusts. Nakul and Priya Nath don't own any vehicles, the affidavit stated. He owns 896.669 grams of gold bars, 7.630 kilogrammes silver, 147.58 carat diamond and stone jewellery worth over Rs 78.45 lakh while his wife possesses over 270.322 grams gold, 161.84 carat diamond and stone jewellery valued at over Rs 57.62 lakh, the affidavit said. As per Income Tax Return filed for the year 2017-18, Nakul Nath has shown annual income of over Rs 2.76 crore while his wife's income stood at over Rs 4.18 crore. He also has deposits in various bank accounts and shares in firms and institutes including Institute of Management Technology (IMT) in its Dubai and Sharjah campus and Span Air Private Ltd. The affidavit stated that Nakul and his brother jointly own a total of 7.82 acres of land in Chhindwara district. The poll debutant also shared his five social media accounts including his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Blogger. Nakul is contesting from Chhindwara constituency, where he is up against the BJP's Natthan Shah, a tribal leader and former MLA. Nakul has a degree in Business Administration from Bay State College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Lok Sabha poll 2019: Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath's son Nakul assets worth over Rs 660 crore

The Income Tax (IT) officials on Monday morning continued their raids at various locations here including the residence of Ashwin Sharma, an associate of Praveen Kakkar (OSD to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath).

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A raid is also being carried out at Kakkar's residence.

Security has also been heightened at the location.

On Sunday, IT officials in pre-dawn swoop carried out raids at the residences of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's private secretary, Praveen Kakkar, in Indore and former advisor RK Miglani in Delhi, on charges of alleged tax evasion.

Officials conducted searches at 50 locations including Indore, Bhopal, Goa and Delhi, according to sources. Kakkar is Chief Minister Kamal Nath's Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

More details are currently awaited.&nbsp;

The Income Tax (IT) officials on Monday morning continued their raids at various locations here including the residence of Ashwin Sharma, an associate of Praveen Kakkar (OSD to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath).

The Income Tax (IT) officials on Monday morning continued their raids at various locations here including the residence of Ashwin Sharma, an associate of Praveen Kakkar (OSD to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath). Bhopal: I-T raid still underway at the residence of Ashwin Sharma, associate of Praveen Kakkar (OSD to Madhya Pradesh CM). #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/ZEWDfze2j3 — ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2019 × A raid is also being carried out at Kakkar's residence. Security has also been heightened at the location. On Sunday, IT officials in pre-dawn swoop carried out raids at the residences of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's private secretary, Praveen Kakkar, in Indore and former advisor RK Miglani in Delhi, on charges of alleged tax evasion. Officials conducted searches at 50 locations including Indore, Bhopal, Goa and Delhi, according to sources. Kakkar is Chief Minister Kamal Nath's Officer on Special Duty (OSD). More details are currently awaited.

IT raids continue at various locations in Madhya Pradesh, security heightened

Income Tax officials are conducting searches at 50 locations including the premises of&nbsp;Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides, reported news agency ANI.

According to the report, a&nbsp;search is underway at Bhopal residence of Praveen Kakkar, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Kamal Nath.&nbsp;

Searches are also underway at his residence and official premises in Indore, the report added.

The premises of Ratul Puri, Amira Group and Moser Bayer are also being searched, the report added.&nbsp;

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Indore: Visuals from official premises of Praveen Kakkar, OSD to Madhya Pradesh CM, where income-tax officials are conducting a raid. <a href="https://t.co/fWoOS4qT4o">pic.twitter.com/fWoOS4qT4o</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1114744357909868551?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Ratul Puri, the nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, recently appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers money laundering case.

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I-T Sources: I-T dept is conducting searches at 50 locations. Searches underway at locations of MP Chief Minister's OSD, Ratul Puri, Amira Group&amp;Moser Bayer. Searches also underway in Bhopal* ,Indore,Goa&amp; 35 locations in Delhi. More than 300 I-T officials conducting the searches. <a href="https://t.co/x5wkkEE01p">https://t.co/x5wkkEE01p</a>
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Searches are underway in Bhopal, Indore, Goa and 35 locations in Delhi, the report added.

More than 300 I-T officials conducting the searches.

ANI also tweeted pictures of cash recovered during the raid at residential premises of Prateek Joshi in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The pictures were provided by I-T sources, the report claimed.&nbsp;

Income Tax officials are conducting searches at 50 locations including the premises of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides, reported news agency ANI.

Income Tax officials are conducting searches at 50 locations including the premises of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides, reported news agency ANI. According to the report, a search is underway at Bhopal residence of Praveen Kakkar, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Kamal Nath. Searches are also underway at his residence and official premises in Indore, the report added. The premises of Ratul Puri, Amira Group and Moser Bayer are also being searched, the report added. Indore: Visuals from official premises of Praveen Kakkar, OSD to Madhya Pradesh CM, where income-tax officials are conducting a raid. pic.twitter.com/fWoOS4qT4o — ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2019 × Ratul Puri, the nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, recently appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers money laundering case. I-T Sources: I-T dept is conducting searches at 50 locations. Searches underway at locations of MP Chief Minister's OSD, Ratul Puri, Amira Group&Moser Bayer. Searches also underway in Bhopal* ,Indore,Goa& 35 locations in Delhi. More than 300 I-T officials conducting the searches. https://t.co/x5wkkEE01p — ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2019 × Searches are underway in Bhopal, Indore, Goa and 35 locations in Delhi, the report added. More than 300 I-T officials conducting the searches. ANI also tweeted pictures of cash recovered during the raid at residential premises of Prateek Joshi in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The pictures were provided by I-T sources, the report claimed.

Income Tax officials raid premises of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vvip-choppers-mp-cm-kamal-naths-nephew-appears-before-ed-207853&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwipqrHYorbhAhVw7XMBHei_DhwQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2dGCGklh2LeZMKCjVhp8UG">Ratul Puri</a>, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vvip-choppers-mp-cm-kamal-naths-nephew-appears-before-ed-207853&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj7ya3torbhAhVo4nMBHR0VA90QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Me099G2nmxnEnZYL2AcPk">Kamal Nath</a>, Thursday appeared before the ED in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers money laundering case, officials said.

They said Puri met the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case around 11 AM.

It is expected that Puri’s statement would be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The central agency had Wednesday informed a Delhi court that Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Powerprojects Pvt Ltd, has been summoned in this high-profile case for interrogation.

He is the son of Nita and Deepak Puri, the CMD of optical storage media firm Moser Baer. Nita is Nath’s sister.

The Enforcement Directorate had also informed the court that Puri was summoned for confronting him with Sushen Mohan Gupta, an arrested middleman in the case, whose custodial interrogation was Wednesday extended by three more days by the court.

Seeking the extension of Gupta’s custody, the ED had told the court that he was required to be confronted with various people including Puri in the case pertaining to the now scrapped Rs 3,600 crore chopper deal.

Puri, who was summoned to join the probe on Wednesday, denied having “any connection or involvement of any kind in defence or the case”.

In a statement, his company had said: “He would be fully cooperating with the ED investigation and provide any clarification or information as may be required.”

The about Rs 3,600 crore deal to purchase AgustaWestland choppers for the transport of VVIPs was scrapped by India over allegations of corruption and kickbacks being paid in the deal.

The ED and the CBI are probing the case now and have already filed multiple charge sheets in the case.

Ratul Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Thursday appeared before the ED in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers money laundering case, officials said.

Ratul Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Thursday appeared before the ED in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers money laundering case, officials said. They said Puri met the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case around 11 AM. It is expected that Puri’s statement would be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The central agency had Wednesday informed a Delhi court that Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Powerprojects Pvt Ltd, has been summoned in this high-profile case for interrogation. He is the son of Nita and Deepak Puri, the CMD of optical storage media firm Moser Baer. Nita is Nath’s sister. The Enforcement Directorate had also informed the court that Puri was summoned for confronting him with Sushen Mohan Gupta, an arrested middleman in the case, whose custodial interrogation was Wednesday extended by three more days by the court. Seeking the extension of Gupta’s custody, the ED had told the court that he was required to be confronted with various people including Puri in the case pertaining to the now scrapped Rs 3,600 crore chopper deal. Puri, who was summoned to join the probe on Wednesday, denied having “any connection or involvement of any kind in defence or the case”. In a statement, his company had said: “He would be fully cooperating with the ED investigation and provide any clarification or information as may be required.” The about Rs 3,600 crore deal to purchase AgustaWestland choppers for the transport of VVIPs was scrapped by India over allegations of corruption and kickbacks being paid in the deal. The ED and the CBI are probing the case now and have already filed multiple charge sheets in the case.

Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath’s nephew appears before ED for his money laundering case

The Madhya Pradesh Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath has blatantly tried to pursue vote bank politics by raising reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The move received a major jolt on Tuesday when the Madhya Pradesh high court issued an order staying the Ordinance promulgated by the state Governor earlier this month to almost double the quota for OBCs.

The Madhya Pradesh Ordinance, now under judicial review, was passed on the plea that circumstances existed and since the Legislative Assembly was not in session, it was necessary to take immediate action in this regard.&nbsp;

Tuesday’s High Court order notwithstanding, Chief Minister Kamal Nath is not ready to concede ground. He has responded to queries by media-persons by citing the example of Tamil Nadu and stating that other states too have gone in for reservation exceeding the 50 per cent limit prescribed and mandated by the Supreme Court. &nbsp;

Moving in the same direction as Tamil Nadu, even Maharashtra has chosen to grant 16 per cent reservation in jobs and admissions in academic institutions to the Marathas. The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh joined the bandwagon and soon after assuming office, Kamal Nath also went ahead and announced that OBCs will be given 27 per cent reservation in the state. &nbsp;This announcement, no doubt, was made keeping in view the role to be played by nearly 50 per cent voters belonging to the OBC category in Madya Pradesh.

For immediate gains, political parties scramble for votes. They resort to vote bank politics and take reckless actions. The Madhya Pradesh Ordinance for hiking the quota for OBCs is a case in point. After the High Court order has come as a roadblock for Kamal Nath, he has tried to draw sustenance by pointing to other states. The question arises, in the first place, is it proper for states such as Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra to exceed the 50 per cent cap on the reservation and put the same in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to avoid judicial review.

When the Supreme Court has fixed a 50 per cent cap, the thumb rule should be straight and without ambiguity. Political parties, both ruling and in the Opposition, should ensure overall reservation for SCs/STs and OBCs does not exceed 50 &nbsp;per cent as laid down by the Supreme Court of India, and anybody applying for a seat or job under the quota shall not be eligible for general merit seat.

The quota system in its present form is causing reverse social discrimination and it leads to more and more forward communities clamouring for Other Backward Classes (OBC) status and governments succumbing due to electoral pressures.

The anti-quota movement which had picked up great momentum in Madhya Pradesh 2016 onwards, riding on the crest of the popular demand that reservation should be on an economic criterion, was a major factor leading to BJP’s defeat in the 2018 Assembly election. Kamal Nath’s move to hike reservation for OBCs has been seen as a move aimed at wooing the OBCs and diluting people’s upsurge on the reservation issue. But even before the Congress party could take stock of what it was ultimately going to gain by moving in this direction, it has been stopped in its path by the high court but not before it stands completely exposed when it comes to vote bank politics.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The Madhya Pradesh Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath has blatantly tried to pursue vote bank politics by raising reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath has blatantly tried to pursue vote bank politics by raising reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The move received a major jolt on Tuesday when the Madhya Pradesh high court issued an order staying the Ordinance promulgated by the state Governor earlier this month to almost double the quota for OBCs. The Madhya Pradesh Ordinance, now under judicial review, was passed on the plea that circumstances existed and since the Legislative Assembly was not in session, it was necessary to take immediate action in this regard. Tuesday’s High Court order notwithstanding, Chief Minister Kamal Nath is not ready to concede ground. He has responded to queries by media-persons by citing the example of Tamil Nadu and stating that other states too have gone in for reservation exceeding the 50 per cent limit prescribed and mandated by the Supreme Court. Moving in the same direction as Tamil Nadu, even Maharashtra has chosen to grant 16 per cent reservation in jobs and admissions in academic institutions to the Marathas. The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh joined the bandwagon and soon after assuming office, Kamal Nath also went ahead and announced that OBCs will be given 27 per cent reservation in the state. This announcement, no doubt, was made keeping in view the role to be played by nearly 50 per cent voters belonging to the OBC category in Madya Pradesh. For immediate gains, political parties scramble for votes. They resort to vote bank politics and take reckless actions. The Madhya Pradesh Ordinance for hiking the quota for OBCs is a case in point. After the High Court order has come as a roadblock for Kamal Nath, he has tried to draw sustenance by pointing to other states. The question arises, in the first place, is it proper for states such as Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra to exceed the 50 per cent cap on the reservation and put the same in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to avoid judicial review. When the Supreme Court has fixed a 50 per cent cap, the thumb rule should be straight and without ambiguity. Political parties, both ruling and in the Opposition, should ensure overall reservation for SCs/STs and OBCs does not exceed 50 per cent as laid down by the Supreme Court of India, and anybody applying for a seat or job under the quota shall not be eligible for general merit seat. The quota system in its present form is causing reverse social discrimination and it leads to more and more forward communities clamouring for Other Backward Classes (OBC) status and governments succumbing due to electoral pressures. The anti-quota movement which had picked up great momentum in Madhya Pradesh 2016 onwards, riding on the crest of the popular demand that reservation should be on an economic criterion, was a major factor leading to BJP’s defeat in the 2018 Assembly election. Kamal Nath’s move to hike reservation for OBCs has been seen as a move aimed at wooing the OBCs and diluting people’s upsurge on the reservation issue. But even before the Congress party could take stock of what it was ultimately going to gain by moving in this direction, it has been stopped in its path by the high court but not before it stands completely exposed when it comes to vote bank politics. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Congress stands exposed as it plays OBC card in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on March 16 said if party colleague Digvijaya Singh wants to contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he should choose the "toughest seat" in the state.

While Nath did not mention any seat, in particular, he said there were "2-3-4 seats" in MP which the Congress had not won in the past "30-35" years.

Singh, a former chief minister and multiple times Lok Sabha MP, is currently a Rajya Sabha member.

"I have requested Digvijaya Singh that if he wants to contest Lok Sabha polls, then he should do so from the toughest seat. There are 2-3-4 seats from where we have not won elections since the last 30-35 years," Nath told reporters here.

Congress functionaries said he may have been referring to Bhopal and Indore Lok Sabha seats, both of which have been held by the BJP since 1989.

Congress sources said Nath is keen that Singh contest from Bhopal. Former President late Shankar Dayal Sharma was the last Congress winner from the seat in the 1984 general elections.

Nath, in reply to a query, however, said it was for Singh to decide from where he wants to contest.

He also added that the Congress would announce Lok Sabha candidates from the state in the next three-four days.

Nath arrived in Chhindwara on a two-day visit to address 11 rallies, with his son Nakul Nath, in all likelihood, is the Congress' Lok Sabha candidate.

Nath, who is a nine-time MP from Chhindwara, is fighting an Assembly bypoll from here scheduled for April 23.

Nath has to get elected to the MP Assembly in order to continue as chief minister. 
 
The Chhindwara Assembly seat was vacated by Dipak Saxena, who had won it in the 2018 state polls so that Nath could get an entry into the 230-member House.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on March 16 said if party colleague Digvijaya Singh wants to contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he should choose the "toughest seat" in the state.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on March 16 said if party colleague Digvijaya Singh wants to contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he should choose the "toughest seat" in the state. While Nath did not mention any seat, in particular, he said there were "2-3-4 seats" in MP which the Congress had not won in the past "30-35" years. Singh, a former chief minister and multiple times Lok Sabha MP, is currently a Rajya Sabha member. "I have requested Digvijaya Singh that if he wants to contest Lok Sabha polls, then he should do so from the toughest seat. There are 2-3-4 seats from where we have not won elections since the last 30-35 years," Nath told reporters here. Congress functionaries said he may have been referring to Bhopal and Indore Lok Sabha seats, both of which have been held by the BJP since 1989. Congress sources said Nath is keen that Singh contest from Bhopal. Former President late Shankar Dayal Sharma was the last Congress winner from the seat in the 1984 general elections. Nath, in reply to a query, however, said it was for Singh to decide from where he wants to contest. He also added that the Congress would announce Lok Sabha candidates from the state in the next three-four days. Nath arrived in Chhindwara on a two-day visit to address 11 rallies, with his son Nakul Nath, in all likelihood, is the Congress' Lok Sabha candidate. Nath, who is a nine-time MP from Chhindwara, is fighting an Assembly bypoll from here scheduled for April 23. Nath has to get elected to the MP Assembly in order to continue as chief minister. The Chhindwara Assembly seat was vacated by Dipak Saxena, who had won it in the 2018 state polls so that Nath could get an entry into the 230-member House.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: MP CM Kamal Nath wants Digvijaya Singh to take up 'toughest seat'

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday announced that his government will increase the reservation quota for Other Backward Class (OBC) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in the state.

The Chief Minister also assured that 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section in general category will also be implemented in Madhya Pradesh.

He made the announcement after laying the foundation stone for 33 Gaushala’s (cow shelters) here.

Nath also distributed loan waiver certificates to the farmers under "Jai Kisan Fasal Rin Mafi Yojana".

"The state government is constantly working for the happiness of farmers and progress of the youth. Schemes like 'Yuva Swabhiman'&nbsp;were introduced for providing employment to youths,” said Kamal Nath, while addressing the gathering at the event."

The state government is executing the historical task to get rid the farmers of debt under Kisan Rin Mafi Yojana. The government is going to waive loan of 25 lakh farmers. After that, we will provide the benefit under the scheme to 25 lakh more farmers," he added.

He asserted that the Congress government in the state is creating an environment of trust."Our youth is future of developed Madhya Pradesh. We are moving towards providing a job to every person through investment. It is unfortunate that the industries proposed for investment either closed down or are on the verge of closure. The government is making all-out effort to revive them,"&nbsp;said Chief Minister.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday announced that his government will increase the reservation quota for Other Backward Class (OBC) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in the state.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday announced that his government will increase the reservation quota for Other Backward Class (OBC) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in the state. The Chief Minister also assured that 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section in general category will also be implemented in Madhya Pradesh. He made the announcement after laying the foundation stone for 33 Gaushala’s (cow shelters) here. Nath also distributed loan waiver certificates to the farmers under "Jai Kisan Fasal Rin Mafi Yojana". "The state government is constantly working for the happiness of farmers and progress of the youth. Schemes like 'Yuva Swabhiman' were introduced for providing employment to youths,” said Kamal Nath, while addressing the gathering at the event." The state government is executing the historical task to get rid the farmers of debt under Kisan Rin Mafi Yojana. The government is going to waive loan of 25 lakh farmers. After that, we will provide the benefit under the scheme to 25 lakh more farmers," he added. He asserted that the Congress government in the state is creating an environment of trust."Our youth is future of developed Madhya Pradesh. We are moving towards providing a job to every person through investment. It is unfortunate that the industries proposed for investment either closed down or are on the verge of closure. The government is making all-out effort to revive them," said Chief Minister.

Kamal Nath government to increase OBC quota to 27 %

One wonders why Jyotiraditya Scindia has been made the Congress party’s general secretary in-charge for western Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He doesn’t bring any special understanding of the region to the table, nor is he a charismatic figure there.

Also, although technically on a footing equal with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who too has been appointed general secretary but in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Scindia cannot hope to match her profile or stature within the party even with the new assignment. One can, therefore, only speculate on the reasons.&nbsp;

Here’s speculation number one. The appointment is Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s way of keeping him away from the politics of Madhya Pradesh, where Kamal Nath is ensconced as chief minister. Scindia had been a formidable candidate to take over the reins of the government after the Congress displaced a Bharatiya Janata Party regime in the state recently.&nbsp;

He was both popular and close to Rahul Gandhi. When the Congress high command decided in Kamal Nath’s favour, it reportedly offered Scindia the deputy chief minister’s post, which was declined. Since then, the party felt it is prudent to avoid situations of direct conflict between Scindia and Kamal Nath, and thus, shifted the young leader out.&nbsp;

Speculation number two: The appointment is a way to cut Scindia down to size. His refusal to accept the deputy’s position was seen as a snub to the high command and to the Kamal Nath-Digvijaya Singh lobby. He was, thus, given charge of a region where the Congress stands little chance of doing well and can be made a scapegoat after the Congress fails in the region. Only days prior to his appointment, Scindia&nbsp;had a long meeting with senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with whom he is said to share a good rapport. That may have rankled the high command too.&nbsp; 
 
And speculation number three is that Scindia will be used a foil in the post-result scenario for comparison with Priyanka’s performance in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress has a fighting chance to win a fistful of seats — at least two to four. This may be nothing to talk about, but it’s still better than zero, which is what many analysts believe the Congress will get in the western parts of the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Admittedly, all this is speculation. What is not speculation but a fact is that the Congress is weak and anaemic in western Uttar Pradesh. It could not do well even in the 2017 Assembly elections when most analysts had predicted trouble for the BJP there for a variety of factors. The Jats, comprising some 17 per cent of the population, are a dominant factor. 
 
They were supposedly angry with the BJP for having made a non-Jat the chief minister of neighbouring Haryana. Besides, they were said to have been a spanner in the works of the BJP’s larger Hindu consolidation drive. The Muslims, another important segment in the region, were upset with the BJP too. Ajit Singh’s party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), was tipped to spoil the BJP’s party and thus help others such as the Congress to gain a foothold in the region. And yet, nothing of these happened. The Congress failed miserably and the BJP romped home.&nbsp;

The situation is perhaps worse for the Congress this coming Lok Sabha polls. Not only is it pitted against the BJP but it has to also counter the combined might of the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party- RLD. If the Jats are indeed so upset with the BJP that they have decided to vote against it, they will in probability go with the new alliance. The Muslims will not waste their votes on the Congress if they sense that the party is on a weak footing. Which voter segment is the Congress banking on?&nbsp;

Western Uttar Pradesh is also communally sensitive. The Muzaffarnagar riots during the Samajwadi party rule had led to a Hindu-Muslim polarisation of sorts, which benefitted the BJP in the last Assembly polls and brought no gains to the Congress which was unsure of its stand. The new grand alliance has the Dalit-Muslim plan up its sleeve this time to neutralise a possible Hindu re-consolidation. 
 
In the 2017 polls, the RLD had tied up with the Congress but gained little out of that alliance. Many believed that the Congress had pulled down Ajit Singh’s party, which is why the RLD has dumped the Congress for the 2019 elections.

Look at it any which way, Scindia’s official foray into western Uttar Pradesh’s politics is fraught with danger.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

One wonders why Jyotiraditya Scindia has been made the Congress party’s general secretary in-charge for western Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He doesn’t bring any special understanding of the region to the table, nor is he a charismatic figure there.

One wonders why Jyotiraditya Scindia has been made the Congress party’s general secretary in-charge for western Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He doesn’t bring any special understanding of the region to the table, nor is he a charismatic figure there. Also, although technically on a footing equal with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who too has been appointed general secretary but in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Scindia cannot hope to match her profile or stature within the party even with the new assignment. One can, therefore, only speculate on the reasons. Here’s speculation number one. The appointment is Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s way of keeping him away from the politics of Madhya Pradesh, where Kamal Nath is ensconced as chief minister. Scindia had been a formidable candidate to take over the reins of the government after the Congress displaced a Bharatiya Janata Party regime in the state recently. He was both popular and close to Rahul Gandhi. When the Congress high command decided in Kamal Nath’s favour, it reportedly offered Scindia the deputy chief minister’s post, which was declined. Since then, the party felt it is prudent to avoid situations of direct conflict between Scindia and Kamal Nath, and thus, shifted the young leader out. Speculation number two: The appointment is a way to cut Scindia down to size. His refusal to accept the deputy’s position was seen as a snub to the high command and to the Kamal Nath-Digvijaya Singh lobby. He was, thus, given charge of a region where the Congress stands little chance of doing well and can be made a scapegoat after the Congress fails in the region. Only days prior to his appointment, Scindia had a long meeting with senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with whom he is said to share a good rapport. That may have rankled the high command too. And speculation number three is that Scindia will be used a foil in the post-result scenario for comparison with Priyanka’s performance in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress has a fighting chance to win a fistful of seats — at least two to four. This may be nothing to talk about, but it’s still better than zero, which is what many analysts believe the Congress will get in the western parts of the state. Admittedly, all this is speculation. What is not speculation but a fact is that the Congress is weak and anaemic in western Uttar Pradesh. It could not do well even in the 2017 Assembly elections when most analysts had predicted trouble for the BJP there for a variety of factors. The Jats, comprising some 17 per cent of the population, are a dominant factor. They were supposedly angry with the BJP for having made a non-Jat the chief minister of neighbouring Haryana. Besides, they were said to have been a spanner in the works of the BJP’s larger Hindu consolidation drive. The Muslims, another important segment in the region, were upset with the BJP too. Ajit Singh’s party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), was tipped to spoil the BJP’s party and thus help others such as the Congress to gain a foothold in the region. And yet, nothing of these happened. The Congress failed miserably and the BJP romped home. The situation is perhaps worse for the Congress this coming Lok Sabha polls. Not only is it pitted against the BJP but it has to also counter the combined might of the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party- RLD. If the Jats are indeed so upset with the BJP that they have decided to vote against it, they will in probability go with the new alliance. The Muslims will not waste their votes on the Congress if they sense that the party is on a weak footing. Which voter segment is the Congress banking on? Western Uttar Pradesh is also communally sensitive. The Muzaffarnagar riots during the Samajwadi party rule had led to a Hindu-Muslim polarisation of sorts, which benefitted the BJP in the last Assembly polls and brought no gains to the Congress which was unsure of its stand. The new grand alliance has the Dalit-Muslim plan up its sleeve this time to neutralise a possible Hindu re-consolidation. In the 2017 polls, the RLD had tied up with the Congress but gained little out of that alliance. Many believed that the Congress had pulled down Ajit Singh’s party, which is why the RLD has dumped the Congress for the 2019 elections. Look at it any which way, Scindia’s official foray into western Uttar Pradesh’s politics is fraught with danger. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Is Congress trying to keep Jyotiraditya Scindia away from MP?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress of protecting those involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying such leaders were even rewarded with the chief minister’s post. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
The jibe, apparently directed at Kamal Nath, the new Madhya Pradesh chief minister, came during a rally where he also charged the opposition party of “deceiving” farmers with loan waiver promises. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Kamal Nath has in the past denied such allegations over the riots, saying he had nothing to do with them. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
The planned corridor between a gurdwara here and a Sikh shrine in Kartarpur, just a few kilometres across the border with Pakistan, also figured in the address. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Modi said the entire country had waited for justice for the past 35 years and wanted Congress leaders to be punished for it. “Even today, this demand is there,” he said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
He alleged that “files” on such culprits were kept under wraps on the suggestion of “one family”, an apparent reference to the Gandhis. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
In an indirect reference to the recent conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in one riot-related case, Modi added, “The NDA government pulled out such files, set up the SIT (special investigation team) and now the results are before you.” 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Modi also attacked the Congress for charging him with corruption in the Rafale deal with France for 36 military aircraft, saying the party was “spreading lies” to weaken the defence forces. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
He said the country needed to be wary of the Congress, claiming its history had been the glorification of “one family”. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
He said it was made up of people, “who even today oppose the raising of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai slogans, whose history is of the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in cold blood, and those who even today reward the riot accused with the chair of the chief minister”. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Modi accused the national leaders at the time of Partition of failing to ensure that Kartarpur, where the founder of Sikhism spent his final years, did not go to Pakistan. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
For seven decades, devotees could get a glimpse of the historic gurdwara only through binoculars, he said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
He said the NDA government took the “historic decision” to build the Kartarpur corridor, which will link Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur to Kartarpur Sahib. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Without taking names, Modi took a dig at Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who went against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s advice and travelled to Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the planned corridor. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
He said the Congress leaders gave an “opportunity” to Pakistan through that trip. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
He hit out at the Congress for playing politics of “lies and deceit” on farm loan waivers. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
“The Congress fooled the people for decades with the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ (remove poverty) and now it is deceiving the country in the name of loan waivers,” he said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
The prime minister claimed this happened in Punjab as well, saying the Congress government in the state had waived only a small portion of the loans. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Modi made similar claims about the Congress promises before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and the recent assembly elections in Karnataka. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Arrest warrants are being issued against farmers for not paying back loans in Karnataka, he claimed. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
He said while the Congress governments had delayed the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, the BJP government at the Centre had implemented its recommendations on minimum support prices (MSP). 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
“Those who failed to find a solution to the farmers’ woes for decades and kept delaying the decision on MSP, are now again throwing dust in the eyes of farmers with their false promises,” he said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur attended the rally, held by the BJP and the SAD to thank the prime minister for the development of the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress of protecting those involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying such leaders were even rewarded with the chief minister’s post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress of protecting those involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying such leaders were even rewarded with the chief minister’s post. The jibe, apparently directed at Kamal Nath, the new Madhya Pradesh chief minister, came during a rally where he also charged the opposition party of “deceiving” farmers with loan waiver promises. Kamal Nath has in the past denied such allegations over the riots, saying he had nothing to do with them. The planned corridor between a gurdwara here and a Sikh shrine in Kartarpur, just a few kilometres across the border with Pakistan, also figured in the address. Modi said the entire country had waited for justice for the past 35 years and wanted Congress leaders to be punished for it. “Even today, this demand is there,” he said. He alleged that “files” on such culprits were kept under wraps on the suggestion of “one family”, an apparent reference to the Gandhis. In an indirect reference to the recent conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in one riot-related case, Modi added, “The NDA government pulled out such files, set up the SIT (special investigation team) and now the results are before you.” Modi also attacked the Congress for charging him with corruption in the Rafale deal with France for 36 military aircraft, saying the party was “spreading lies” to weaken the defence forces. He said the country needed to be wary of the Congress, claiming its history had been the glorification of “one family”. He said it was made up of people, “who even today oppose the raising of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai slogans, whose history is of the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in cold blood, and those who even today reward the riot accused with the chair of the chief minister”. Modi accused the national leaders at the time of Partition of failing to ensure that Kartarpur, where the founder of Sikhism spent his final years, did not go to Pakistan. For seven decades, devotees could get a glimpse of the historic gurdwara only through binoculars, he said. He said the NDA government took the “historic decision” to build the Kartarpur corridor, which will link Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur to Kartarpur Sahib. Without taking names, Modi took a dig at Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who went against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s advice and travelled to Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the planned corridor. He said the Congress leaders gave an “opportunity” to Pakistan through that trip. He hit out at the Congress for playing politics of “lies and deceit” on farm loan waivers. “The Congress fooled the people for decades with the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ (remove poverty) and now it is deceiving the country in the name of loan waivers,” he said. The prime minister claimed this happened in Punjab as well, saying the Congress government in the state had waived only a small portion of the loans. Modi made similar claims about the Congress promises before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and the recent assembly elections in Karnataka. Arrest warrants are being issued against farmers for not paying back loans in Karnataka, he claimed. He said while the Congress governments had delayed the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, the BJP government at the Centre had implemented its recommendations on minimum support prices (MSP). “Those who failed to find a solution to the farmers’ woes for decades and kept delaying the decision on MSP, are now again throwing dust in the eyes of farmers with their false promises,” he said. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur attended the rally, held by the BJP and the SAD to thank the prime minister for the development of the region.

PM Narendra Modi accuses Congress of protecting 1984 riot culprits, takes jibe at Kamal Nath

A new controversy has erupted as the singing of 'Vande Mataram', started by the previous Shivaraj Singh Chouhan led Madhya Pradesh government on the first working day of every month at the State Secretariat in Bhopal, has been put on hold by the new Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath.

The first two verses of 'Vande Mataram', written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in praise of the “Mother” (Goddess), symbolising the motherland and composed into a song by Rabindranath Tagore, were adopted as the National Song of India during British rule by the Congress party.

Due to the Kamal Nath government’s stand on the singing of Vande Mataram at the State Secretariat, those in the BJP have put the Congress in the dock. BJP leaders claim that the Kamal Nath government is trying to appease a particular community. According to them, stopping the 13-year-old practice of singing 'Vande Mataram' at the State Secretariat is an insult of those who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation.

BJP President Amit Shah used the social media to assert that the banning of the song 'Vande Mataram' by the Congress government of Madhya Pradesh is like treason and an insult to the nation. 'Vande Mataram' is not just a song, it is the symbol of India's freedom movement and the inspiration for every Indian, Shah emphasised. &nbsp;

Dragging Congress president Rahul Gandhi into this controversy, the BJP president has asked whether it was on his instructions that the singing of 'Vande Mataram' was stopped by the state Congress government?&nbsp;

Trying to put a lid on this matter, Kamal Nath has said that 'Vande Mataram' is deeply rooted in every citizen’s heart and his government is going to take initiative to start it again in a different format. But the BJP is in an unrelenting mood. Meanwhile, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that this coming Monday, January 7, all the BJP MLAs will assemble and sing Vande Mataram at the Secretariat.

The present controversy is the perfect recipe for a battle of wits between the BJP and the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls this year. Right now, it is advantage BJP, which has already scored an early point by going on the offensive from the word go. The BJP President has been quick in putting the Congress in the dock, roping in Rahul Gandhi and accusing the state Congress government of turning Madhya Pradesh –the heart of India – into a centre of appeasement (to please a particular community). Congress steps to counter the BJP onslaught in the coming days will be viewed only as a face-saving strategy and the BJP will leave no stone unturned to take political mileage from this.

Besides Ayodhya, Rafale, triple talaq, farmers’ distress, more and more contentious issues that polarise the voters on narrow lines have started sprouting up ahead of the elections. In the process, the vital agenda of development that should be at the centre of general public discourse remains on the back burner.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A new controversy has erupted as the singing of 'Vande Mataram', started by the previous Shivaraj Singh Chouhan led Madhya Pradesh government on the first working day of every month at the State Secretariat in Bhopal, has been put on hold by the new Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath.

A new controversy has erupted as the singing of 'Vande Mataram', started by the previous Shivaraj Singh Chouhan led Madhya Pradesh government on the first working day of every month at the State Secretariat in Bhopal, has been put on hold by the new Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath. The first two verses of 'Vande Mataram', written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in praise of the “Mother” (Goddess), symbolising the motherland and composed into a song by Rabindranath Tagore, were adopted as the National Song of India during British rule by the Congress party. Due to the Kamal Nath government’s stand on the singing of Vande Mataram at the State Secretariat, those in the BJP have put the Congress in the dock. BJP leaders claim that the Kamal Nath government is trying to appease a particular community. According to them, stopping the 13-year-old practice of singing 'Vande Mataram' at the State Secretariat is an insult of those who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation. BJP President Amit Shah used the social media to assert that the banning of the song 'Vande Mataram' by the Congress government of Madhya Pradesh is like treason and an insult to the nation. 'Vande Mataram' is not just a song, it is the symbol of India's freedom movement and the inspiration for every Indian, Shah emphasised. Dragging Congress president Rahul Gandhi into this controversy, the BJP president has asked whether it was on his instructions that the singing of 'Vande Mataram' was stopped by the state Congress government? Trying to put a lid on this matter, Kamal Nath has said that 'Vande Mataram' is deeply rooted in every citizen’s heart and his government is going to take initiative to start it again in a different format. But the BJP is in an unrelenting mood. Meanwhile, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that this coming Monday, January 7, all the BJP MLAs will assemble and sing Vande Mataram at the Secretariat. The present controversy is the perfect recipe for a battle of wits between the BJP and the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls this year. Right now, it is advantage BJP, which has already scored an early point by going on the offensive from the word go. The BJP President has been quick in putting the Congress in the dock, roping in Rahul Gandhi and accusing the state Congress government of turning Madhya Pradesh –the heart of India – into a centre of appeasement (to please a particular community). Congress steps to counter the BJP onslaught in the coming days will be viewed only as a face-saving strategy and the BJP will leave no stone unturned to take political mileage from this. Besides Ayodhya, Rafale, triple talaq, farmers’ distress, more and more contentious issues that polarise the voters on narrow lines have started sprouting up ahead of the elections. In the process, the vital agenda of development that should be at the centre of general public discourse remains on the back burner. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

In Madhya Pradesh, BJP and Congress battle it out over 'Vande Mataram'

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath distributed portfolios to his cabinet Friday evening, keeping Public Relations, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Department and Employment Department among others with himself, an official said.

Tribal MLA Bala Bachchan, who was minister in the previous Digvijay Singh-led Congress government, was given Home and Jail, while another senior MLA, Tulsi Silawat, got Health, the Public Relations department official said.

Govind Rajput was allocated Revenue and Transport department, while Tarun Bhanot was given the Finance department.

Nath also kept Public Service Management department and the Technical Education with him, he said.

MLA Prabhuram Choudhary, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste community, was given School Education, he said.

Another Digvijay Singh cabinet member, Vijaylaxmi Sadho, got Culture and Medical Education Department.

Hukum Singh Karada, also a minister in the previous Congress government, got Water Resources Development.

Another former senior minister Dr Govind Singh was given Cooperatives and Parliamentary Affairs.

Sajjan Singh Verma, who was Urban Administration Minister in Digvijay Singh government, has got the Public Works Department in Kamal Nath's cabinet, the official said.

Arif Aqueel, the lone Muslim minister, got Minorities and Other Backward Class Welfare, besides Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation.

Jaivardhan Singh, Digvijay Singh's son, was given Urban Administration Department.

Jaivardhan, 32, is the youngest minister in the cabinet.

Sachin Yadav, 36, younger brother of former state Congress chief and ex-Union minister Arun Yadav, was given Agriculture and Food Processing Department.&nbsp;

Woman minister Imarati Devi was given Women and Child Department.

Pradeep Jaiswal, lone independent MLA in the cabinet, was given Mining, he said.

Umang Singhar was given Forest Department, while Jitu Patwari was allocated Sports and Youth Affairs besides Higher Education Department.

Brijendra Singh Rathore got Commercial Tax, Lakhan Singh Yadav Animal Husbandry, Omkar Markam Scheduled Tribes Welfare, Sukhdeo Panse Public Health Engineering, Harsh Yadav New and Renewable Energy and Cottage and Village Industries, Kamleshwar Patel Panchayat and Rural Development, Lakhan Ghanghoriya Social Justice and SC Welfare.

P C Sharma was given Law and Legislative Affairs, Surendra Singh Baghel Narmada Valley Development and Tourism Department, Pradyumn Singh Tomar Food and Civil Supplies, Mahendra Singh Sisodiya Labour Department and Priyavrat Singh Energy Department, the official said.

Nath, who took oath as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 17, had expanded his cabinet on December 25 by inducting 28 ministers.&nbsp;

The Congress returned to power in the state after a hiatus of 15 years by ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Though the Congress, with 114 seats, depends on the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, which have won two seats and one, respectively, no MLA from these two smaller parties has got a berth in the cabinet.

A five-day session of the newly-elected Assembly is slated to begin from January 7.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath distributed portfolios to his cabinet Friday evening, keeping Public Relations, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Department and Employment Department among others with himself, an official said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath distributed portfolios to his cabinet Friday evening, keeping Public Relations, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Department and Employment Department among others with himself, an official said. Tribal MLA Bala Bachchan, who was minister in the previous Digvijay Singh-led Congress government, was given Home and Jail, while another senior MLA, Tulsi Silawat, got Health, the Public Relations department official said. Govind Rajput was allocated Revenue and Transport department, while Tarun Bhanot was given the Finance department. Nath also kept Public Service Management department and the Technical Education with him, he said. MLA Prabhuram Choudhary, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste community, was given School Education, he said. Another Digvijay Singh cabinet member, Vijaylaxmi Sadho, got Culture and Medical Education Department. Hukum Singh Karada, also a minister in the previous Congress government, got Water Resources Development. Another former senior minister Dr Govind Singh was given Cooperatives and Parliamentary Affairs. Sajjan Singh Verma, who was Urban Administration Minister in Digvijay Singh government, has got the Public Works Department in Kamal Nath's cabinet, the official said. Arif Aqueel, the lone Muslim minister, got Minorities and Other Backward Class Welfare, besides Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation. Jaivardhan Singh, Digvijay Singh's son, was given Urban Administration Department. Jaivardhan, 32, is the youngest minister in the cabinet. Sachin Yadav, 36, younger brother of former state Congress chief and ex-Union minister Arun Yadav, was given Agriculture and Food Processing Department. Woman minister Imarati Devi was given Women and Child Department. Pradeep Jaiswal, lone independent MLA in the cabinet, was given Mining, he said. Umang Singhar was given Forest Department, while Jitu Patwari was allocated Sports and Youth Affairs besides Higher Education Department. Brijendra Singh Rathore got Commercial Tax, Lakhan Singh Yadav Animal Husbandry, Omkar Markam Scheduled Tribes Welfare, Sukhdeo Panse Public Health Engineering, Harsh Yadav New and Renewable Energy and Cottage and Village Industries, Kamleshwar Patel Panchayat and Rural Development, Lakhan Ghanghoriya Social Justice and SC Welfare. P C Sharma was given Law and Legislative Affairs, Surendra Singh Baghel Narmada Valley Development and Tourism Department, Pradyumn Singh Tomar Food and Civil Supplies, Mahendra Singh Sisodiya Labour Department and Priyavrat Singh Energy Department, the official said. Nath, who took oath as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 17, had expanded his cabinet on December 25 by inducting 28 ministers. The Congress returned to power in the state after a hiatus of 15 years by ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party. Though the Congress, with 114 seats, depends on the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, which have won two seats and one, respectively, no MLA from these two smaller parties has got a berth in the cabinet. A five-day session of the newly-elected Assembly is slated to begin from January 7.

Madhya Pradesh CM distributes portfolios; Tarun Bhanot gets finance department

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795">Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath</a> expanded his Cabinet on Tuesday, with 28 MLAs, including two woman legislators, sworn in as ministers.

Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan here.

Sajjan Singh Verma, Vijayalaxmi Sadho, Hukum Singh Karada, Govind Singh Rajput, Bala Bachchan, Arif Akil, Pradeep Jayaswal, Imarti Devi were among those sworn in as ministers.

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Kamal Nath had taken oath as the chief minister on December 17, after the Congress won the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, defeating the BJP in a nail-biting contest.

The Congress returned to power in the state after a hiatus of 15 years.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath expanded his Cabinet on Tuesday, with 28 MLAs, including two woman legislators, sworn in as ministers. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan here.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath expanded his Cabinet on Tuesday, with 28 MLAs, including two woman legislators, sworn in as ministers. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan here. Sajjan Singh Verma, Vijayalaxmi Sadho, Hukum Singh Karada, Govind Singh Rajput, Bala Bachchan, Arif Akil, Pradeep Jayaswal, Imarti Devi were among those sworn in as ministers. Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Kamal Nath had taken oath as the chief minister on December 17, after the Congress won the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, defeating the BJP in a nail-biting contest. The Congress returned to power in the state after a hiatus of 15 years.

28 legislators take oath as ministers in Madhya Pradesh

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed the incumbent Congress government for blaming him for the shortage of urea in the state.

Lashing out at the Chief Minister Kamal Nath-led government, Chouhan said that instead of levelling baseless allegations at the previous dispensation, the Congress party should concentrate on running the state efficiently. Rubbishing Congress` claims of urea shortage, Chouhan told ANI, " Congress is in power in the state now, they should stop making baseless allegations and run the government efficiently. The state has already received more than 4 lakh metric tonne Urea till December 15, it should be distributed among farmers appropriately."

This comes amid the Congress government writing off loans of farmers in the state.

After winning the recently-concluded elections, the Congress government as promised, waived farm loans in the state. A similar announcement was made by the grand old party in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where it uprooted the BJP and formed the government.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed the incumbent Congress government for blaming him for the shortage of urea in the state.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed the incumbent Congress government for blaming him for the shortage of urea in the state. Lashing out at the Chief Minister Kamal Nath-led government, Chouhan said that instead of levelling baseless allegations at the previous dispensation, the Congress party should concentrate on running the state efficiently. Rubbishing Congress` claims of urea shortage, Chouhan told ANI, " Congress is in power in the state now, they should stop making baseless allegations and run the government efficiently. The state has already received more than 4 lakh metric tonne Urea till December 15, it should be distributed among farmers appropriately." This comes amid the Congress government writing off loans of farmers in the state. After winning the recently-concluded elections, the Congress government as promised, waived farm loans in the state. A similar announcement was made by the grand old party in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where it uprooted the BJP and formed the government.

Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan lashes out at Congress over urea shortage claim

What is Madhya Pradesh's new chief minister Kamal Nath up to? Given his reputation as an astute politician, not so much a grassroots leader as a backroom strategist, one would not dismiss his latest statement favouring jobs for local citizens of his state by structuring state incentives and his reference to migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh taking away jobs as a goofy, foot-in-the-mouth outpouring.&nbsp;

There is a likely political strategy behind this and for this, we need to take stock of what is happening within the Indian National Congress.

It is quite clear that Nath's claim to fame despite being elected from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency several times is that he is essentially where he is because he has built for himself the reputation as a doer on the back of his proximity to the Nehru-Gandhi political family that goes back to his days in Doon School as a chum of the late Sanjay Gandhi.

But he needs all the popular support he can muster in order to keep his place in a state where the rival BJP is extremely strong and power struggles within his own party can be even stronger - given that we have Jyotiraditya Scindia, Digvijaya Singh and even Ajay Singh, the son of late Arjun Singh, among formidable politicians with strong local support in varying degrees.

Nath's moment of glory has been in his signing a paper to waive off farm loans of up to Rs 2 lakh as part of his party's election promise. What better occasion than this photo opportunity for him to buy himself a future populist card sitting on a big chair? It must be remembered that the Congress is not what it used to be and Nath needs something beyond the blessings of 10, Janpath, the residence of Ms Sonia Gandhi, to stay ahead in the party and in the public eye. A populist gesture will also help him boost his image as a grassroots leader. Knowing him, the statement he made could not have been off-the-cuff at all.

Sadly, however, his statement in more than one sense reminds of two other historic figures associated with Madhya Pradesh, each with a story that resembles his. They are the famous poet Kalidasa and the celebrated singer Kishore Kumar.&nbsp;

What Kamal Nath is doing now may be for his party something resembling what the poet Kalidasa is supposed to have done as a youth when he started cutting the very branch of a tree he was sitting on, before he was coaxed out of his ignorant ways to become the most celebrated dramatist of India's leading classical language, Sanskrit.&nbsp;

Kamal Nath was born in UP, and it is said Kalidas, though associated with Ujjain in MP, may have migrated from Kashmir. Kishore Kumar, though a Bengali speaker, was born in Khandwa which is part of Madhya Pradesh. These illustrious sons would not have made Madhya Pradesh proud without the region following a welcome policy for outside workers. Nath himself is an outsider to MP. For him to talk of nativism based on domicile status is a case of irony wrapped in contradictions.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi's diplomatic evasion of comment on the nativist issue is understandable but he has to speak up sooner than later. The Nehru-Gandhi family traces its own origins to Delhi and Kashmir and not Uttar Pradesh where its political base lies.

Moreover, it is the Congress that led the move to frame India's Republican Constitution that promises fundamental rights, two of which are challenged by the kind of words Kamal Nath has used and a third implicitly so. The right to equality that is against discrimination including one based on place of birth and the right to freedom including one that allows freedom of movement and practice of a profession are two vital rights in Kamal Nath hit list. To this, we may add the idea of 'right to work' enshrined among the directive principles of the Constitution.&nbsp;

In effect, Kamal Nath, in a seemingly shrewd political move, may be cutting the branch of his Congress tree - or worse, the tree's very trunk. Parties like Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) and K Chandrashekar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are known to play on nativism with a focus on domicile status. For Congress to do this would be naive at best and suicidal at worst.

The BJP's supporters and sympathisers frequently invoke Sonia Gandhi's Italian origins to call her a 'foreigner' despite all the hard work she has put in, including a level of fluency in Hindi that BJP's south Indian leaders cannot boast of. All that will come to nought if Kamal Nath is not pulled up for what he said. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on Zeenews. Read the <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/blogs/kamal-naths-migrant-comment-could-be-a-foot-in-the-congress-mouth-2164331.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

What is Madhya Pradesh's new chief minister Kamal Nath up to? Given his reputation as an astute politician, not so much a grassroots leader as a backroom strategist, one would not dismiss his latest statement favouring jobs for local citizens of his state by structuring state incentives and his reference to migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh taking away jobs as a goofy, foot-in-the-mouth outpouring.

What is Madhya Pradesh's new chief minister Kamal Nath up to? Given his reputation as an astute politician, not so much a grassroots leader as a backroom strategist, one would not dismiss his latest statement favouring jobs for local citizens of his state by structuring state incentives and his reference to migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh taking away jobs as a goofy, foot-in-the-mouth outpouring. There is a likely political strategy behind this and for this, we need to take stock of what is happening within the Indian National Congress. It is quite clear that Nath's claim to fame despite being elected from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency several times is that he is essentially where he is because he has built for himself the reputation as a doer on the back of his proximity to the Nehru-Gandhi political family that goes back to his days in Doon School as a chum of the late Sanjay Gandhi. But he needs all the popular support he can muster in order to keep his place in a state where the rival BJP is extremely strong and power struggles within his own party can be even stronger - given that we have Jyotiraditya Scindia, Digvijaya Singh and even Ajay Singh, the son of late Arjun Singh, among formidable politicians with strong local support in varying degrees. Nath's moment of glory has been in his signing a paper to waive off farm loans of up to Rs 2 lakh as part of his party's election promise. What better occasion than this photo opportunity for him to buy himself a future populist card sitting on a big chair? It must be remembered that the Congress is not what it used to be and Nath needs something beyond the blessings of 10, Janpath, the residence of Ms Sonia Gandhi, to stay ahead in the party and in the public eye. A populist gesture will also help him boost his image as a grassroots leader. Knowing him, the statement he made could not have been off-the-cuff at all. Sadly, however, his statement in more than one sense reminds of two other historic figures associated with Madhya Pradesh, each with a story that resembles his. They are the famous poet Kalidasa and the celebrated singer Kishore Kumar. What Kamal Nath is doing now may be for his party something resembling what the poet Kalidasa is supposed to have done as a youth when he started cutting the very branch of a tree he was sitting on, before he was coaxed out of his ignorant ways to become the most celebrated dramatist of India's leading classical language, Sanskrit. Kamal Nath was born in UP, and it is said Kalidas, though associated with Ujjain in MP, may have migrated from Kashmir. Kishore Kumar, though a Bengali speaker, was born in Khandwa which is part of Madhya Pradesh. These illustrious sons would not have made Madhya Pradesh proud without the region following a welcome policy for outside workers. Nath himself is an outsider to MP. For him to talk of nativism based on domicile status is a case of irony wrapped in contradictions. Congress president Rahul Gandhi's diplomatic evasion of comment on the nativist issue is understandable but he has to speak up sooner than later. The Nehru-Gandhi family traces its own origins to Delhi and Kashmir and not Uttar Pradesh where its political base lies. Moreover, it is the Congress that led the move to frame India's Republican Constitution that promises fundamental rights, two of which are challenged by the kind of words Kamal Nath has used and a third implicitly so. The right to equality that is against discrimination including one based on place of birth and the right to freedom including one that allows freedom of movement and practice of a profession are two vital rights in Kamal Nath hit list. To this, we may add the idea of 'right to work' enshrined among the directive principles of the Constitution. In effect, Kamal Nath, in a seemingly shrewd political move, may be cutting the branch of his Congress tree - or worse, the tree's very trunk. Parties like Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) and K Chandrashekar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are known to play on nativism with a focus on domicile status. For Congress to do this would be naive at best and suicidal at worst. The BJP's supporters and sympathisers frequently invoke Sonia Gandhi's Italian origins to call her a 'foreigner' despite all the hard work she has put in, including a level of fluency in Hindi that BJP's south Indian leaders cannot boast of. All that will come to nought if Kamal Nath is not pulled up for what he said. (This article was originally published on Zeenews. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Kamal Nath's migrant comment could be a foot in the Congress mouth

A case has been filed against Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath over his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-pitches-for-70-jobs-to-madhya-pradesh-residents-says-up-and-bihar-people-take-away-locals-job-184943">remarks on UP-Bihar migrants</a> where he blamed the migrants for taking away the jobs of the local people.

The case has been filed by&nbsp;Tamanna Hashmi in Muzaffarpur court.

Hours after becoming the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795">Kamal Nath</a>&nbsp;on Monday pitched for jobs for locals.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "people from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here and local people don't get jobs."

He further said, "Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment."&nbsp;

Nath also added that&nbsp;he has signed a file for ensuring that jobs remain with the locals.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-sp-slam-kamal-nath-for-saying-up-and-bihar-people-take-away-locals-job-185082">Bharatiya Janata Party</a> responded to his comments and called it "divisive".

BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh said, "He has also been a Union minister. He should be aware of these rules. What he is talking about is already in place... By making such a claim, he is misleading people".

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also reacted to Nath's statement stating that it is wrong for other states to question why people from North India take up jobs there.&nbsp;

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Bihar: Case filed in Muzaffarpur Court by one Tamanna Hashmi against Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath over his remark on UP-Bihar migrants (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/m7ai7vryxj">pic.twitter.com/m7ai7vryxj</a>
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The Congress won 114 assembly seats and secured the support of seven more MLAs - SP (1) and BSP (2) and four independents - to cross the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member Assembly.

Nath, who did not contest the November 28 assembly elections, was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 17.

Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the 72-year-old Congress veteran who was at the forefront in steering the party to a win in the assembly polls.

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A case has been filed against Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath over his remarks on UP-Bihar migrants where he blamed the migrants for taking away the jobs of the local people.

A case has been filed against Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath over his remarks on UP-Bihar migrants where he blamed the migrants for taking away the jobs of the local people. The case has been filed by Tamanna Hashmi in Muzaffarpur court. Hours after becoming the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath on Monday pitched for jobs for locals. Speaking to reporters, he said, "people from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here and local people don't get jobs." He further said, "Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment." Nath also added that he has signed a file for ensuring that jobs remain with the locals. The Bharatiya Janata Party responded to his comments and called it "divisive". BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh said, "He has also been a Union minister. He should be aware of these rules. What he is talking about is already in place... By making such a claim, he is misleading people". Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also reacted to Nath's statement stating that it is wrong for other states to question why people from North India take up jobs there. Bihar: Case filed in Muzaffarpur Court by one Tamanna Hashmi against Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath over his remark on UP-Bihar migrants (file pic) pic.twitter.com/m7ai7vryxj — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2018 × The Congress won 114 assembly seats and secured the support of seven more MLAs - SP (1) and BSP (2) and four independents - to cross the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member Assembly. Nath, who did not contest the November 28 assembly elections, was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 17. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the 72-year-old Congress veteran who was at the forefront in steering the party to a win in the assembly polls.

Bihar: Case registered against Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath over his remarks on migrants

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