New Delhi: Veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath confirmed on Monday that he would not be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Jabalpur and reiterated his commitment to his political stronghold, Chhindwara, in Madhya Pradesh.
Chhindwara's Lok Sabha seat is currently represented by his son, Nakul Nath, while Kamal Nath himself has represented the constituency nine times in the past. Presently, he serves as the MLA from Chhindwara assembly seat, reported PTI.
Speaking to reporters in Chhindwara, Former MP chief minister Kamal Nath dismissed any plans of contesting from Jabalpur, a significant parliamentary constituency in the Mahakoshal region of Madhya Pradesh. He said, "There is no plan. I will not leave Chhindwara in any case."
Previously, Kamal Nath had expressed that his son would be contesting from Chhindwara, as per the PTI report.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh LoP and Congress leader Umang Singhar told ANI, "Kamal Nath wants Nakul Nath to be repeated, he has proposed his name. The party too wants the same. So, it is natural that Nakul Nath will be fielded from Chhindwara."
Regarding recent defections of Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath said, "Suresh Pachouri joined the BJP. It was his wish." Veteran leader Pachouri had joined the ruling BJP on Saturday.
Additionally, two former Congress MLAs, Arunoday Choubey and Shivdayal Bagri, also switched sides to the BJP on Monday.
Kamal Nath clarified that Choubey had already resigned from the Congress. Responding to speculation surrounding Deepak Joshi's potential shift to the BJP, Kamal Nath remarked, "Wo toh wahin ke the (he belonged to it)," the PTI report added.
Joshi, son of former BJP chief minister Kailash Joshi, had joined the Congress before the 2023 assembly elections but unsuccessfully contested on its ticket from the Khategaon seat in Dewas district.