The comment by Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath, "I would provide my car to anybody (from the Congress) who are prepared to join the BJP," has sparked a battle of words in the state between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, news agency IANS reported.
The former Chief Minister made the comment while responding to inquiries on the latest Congress departure, saying: "What are you thinking? When will Congress be done? You claim that some people desire to join the BJP. Anyone who wishes to join the BJP is welcome to do so. We do not wish to obstruct anyone. I'd even lend them my car so they could join the BJP."
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To begin, senior Congress politician Ajay Singh (Rahul) expressed his disagreement with his party's chief's comments. Singh, who is the son of former MP Chief Minister late Arjun Singh and is considered opposed to Kamal Nath, said, "Yah Samay Jodne Ka hai, Chhondne Ka Nahin. (This is the time for uniting, not deserting)," IANS reporterd.
Meanwhile, BJP officials mocked the Congress, claiming that Kamal Nath would require a fleet of cars to transport his party members to the BJP office.
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Speaking with reporters, Senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayavargiya stated: "Kamal Nath would need so many cars to drop his MLAs at the BJP office. There are several Congress leaders who are not happy with Kamal Nath's leadership."
Narottam Mishra, a top BJP politician and state Home Minister who never misses an opportunity to criticise the opposition, remarked: "Rahul Gandhi is uniting the Congress and at the same time Kamal Nath is dropping party leader."
(With Inputs From IANS)