Congress picks 'Indira's third son' Kamal Nath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

On the same date in the year 1979, Indira Gandhi had given the responsibility of 'Chhindwara' constituency of MP to Kamal Nath, addressing him as his "third son". Nath recalled the moment in the legislative party meeting where he was elected as the leader of Congress legislative party.

Kamal Nath. Photo: PTI (File)

New Delhi: Kamal Nath was picked as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, after a series of hectic parleys and daylong deliberation by Congress high-command over the name of new MP CM. ABP News sources had confirmed when his name was cleared by the party leadership. The party's Observer for Madhya Pradesh,  A K Antony made a formal announcement of Kamal Nath's name as the CM-designate of the state. In a brief conference, Nath said: "I have full faith that the future of Madhya Pradesh is secured. I thank each and every voter and assure that whatever was promised in the manifesto will be fulfilled." On being asked about his oath-taking ceremony, he said he will meet the governor at 10:30 am on Friday and then will decide on a date when he will administer the oath. On the same date in the year 1979, Indira Gandhi had given the responsibility of 'Chhindwara' constituency to Kamal Nath addressing him as his "third son". Nath recalled the moment in the legislative party meeting where he was elected as the leader of Congress legislative party. He said, "The post is a milestone for me. I have no greed for position or power; service of the nation has always been my priority." He also thanked Scindia for his support all through the elections and after that. 72-year-old Kamal Nath was pitched in a tight-race against young guard Jyotiraditya Scindia- scion of the erstwhile Gwalior dynasty. Indian National Congress tweeted to congratulate Kamal Nath on being elected as the CM of the state ruled by BJP for fifteen years. Rahul Gandhi on late Thursday evening tweeted a smiling picture with Madhya Pradesh chief ministerial contenders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia and quoted Leo Tolstoy to say that the two most powerful warriors are patience and time. "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time," he tweeted quoting Leo Tolstoy. Jyotiraditya Scindia also tweeted the same picture saying there is no race for chief minister in Madhya Pradesh and the issue is to serve the people. Nath and Scindia held separate meetings with Rahul Gandhi, where UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also present.

Our best wishes to Shri @OfficeOfKNath for being elected CM of Madhya Pradesh. An era of change is upon MP with him at the helm. pic.twitter.com/iHJe43AB9v

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 13, 2018

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. - Leo Tolstoy pic.twitter.com/MiRq2IlrIg

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 13, 2018

In Bhopal, a meeting of the Congress legislature party took place at 11 PM, where the announcement was made. Gandhi earlier held a flurry of meetings with senior party leaders, including central observer A K Antony and AICC general secretary in-charge of the state Deepak Babariya, before deciding on the chief minister. Kamal Nath, a veteran leader of Congress has been a member of Lok Sabha since 1998. Kamal Nath who is not a member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, will have to first become a member of the Assembly within the stipulated time. A number of Congress leaders who have been elected as MLAs from Chhindwara seat are ready to vacate their seat for Kamal Nath, sources have said. Kamal Nath and his ties with late PM Indira Gandhi: A number of AAP and BJP leaders opposed Nath’s installation as CM of the state, accusing him of leading violence against Sikh community in 1984 post the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi. When Kamal Nath was named the Congress chief in Madhya Pradesh in April ahead of the Assembly polls, many in the party recalled that former prime minister Indira Gandhi described him as her "third son" who helped her take on the Morarji Desai-led regime in 1979. Thirty-nine years later, the senior-most member in the 16th Lok Sabha donned the battle gear to help Indira Gandhi's grandson and Congress president Rahul Gandhi make huge gains for the opposition party in the central Indian state where Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the longest-serving chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and at the helm since 2003. According to available results and leads Tuesday night, the Congress accounted for 111 wins and leads in the 230-member state Assembly. The Congress' tally in the outgoing house was only 58. The BJP, which had 165 MLAs, either won or was leading in 110 seats in a see-saw battle for a majority which is 116.