Amid speculation of 'switch', can Kamal Nath save family bastion Chhindwara for son Nakul?

Veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath are rumored to be considering a shift to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the Congress party’s poor performance in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections and the subsequent appointment of Jitu Patwari to lead the state unit. Speculation surrounding the potential defection has intensified after Nakul Nath removed ‘INC’ (Indian National Congress) from his social media bio.

The election results have reportedly contributed to a strained relationship between former Chief Minister Kamal Nath and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi. Despite efforts by Patwari’s predecessor Kamal Nath to reconcile with the help of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi has purportedly distanced himself and stopped communicating with Kamal Nath.

Although the exact reason for the potential defection remains unclear, it is believed that the political future of Kamal Nath’s family and the challenge of retaining the family bastion in Chhindwara are key factors. Nakul Nath, who won the Lok Sabha seat from Chhindwara in 2019, may face tough competition in the upcoming elections, particularly if former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is fielded by the BJP.

The elder Nath’s decision to advise his son to consider his own political future suggests that he may anticipate challenges in retaining the family stronghold in the face of BJP’s growing influence in the region. This has led to speculation about a possible shift to the BJP, which has been further fueled by Nakul Nath’s actions and recent visit to Delhi.

The potential defection of the father-son duo has been the subject of discussion in political circles, particularly in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While Nakul Nath has declared himself as a candidate, the Congress party is yet to release its list. The speculation surrounding their possible defection continues to attract attention and raise questions about the future of the Nath family’s political allegiance.

It remains to be seen whether Kamal Nath and his son will indeed make the switch to the BJP, and how such a move would impact the political landscape in Madhya Pradesh. The ongoing developments are being closely monitored as the state prepares for the upcoming elections.