ABP MP Shikhar Sammelan: Kamal Nath Terms BJP Govt As 'Soudebaazi Ki Sarkar', Reveals If He Wants To Become Next Congress President

When asked about Congress losing power in the state, Kamal Nath said: "In 2018, people of Madhya Pradesh elected us to power but 'soudebaazi ki sarkar' took over and has been ruling for one year".

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New Delhi: Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath spoke to ABP News on Sunday during the Madhya Pradesh Shikhar Sammelan being held on the occasion of the BJP government completing one year of rule in the state.

The Kamal Nath Government resigned last year in March as it became clear that the Congress would not be able to prove a majority in the Assembly. Ending the month-long political crisis, BJP formed the government with Shivraj Singh Chouhan becoming the chief minister.

When asked about Congress losing power in the state, Kamal Nath said: "In 2018, people of Madhya Pradesh elected us to power but 'soudebaazi ki sarkar' took over and has been ruling for one year".

Stating how he was aware of the 'soudebazi' (trading), he added: "This is dangerous for democracy. I could have done the same since I was the CM but I didn't want to do it".

When asked about Congress' poor performance in the by-election, the former MP CM repeatedly raised questions on the legitimacy of EVM, challenging Centre to conduct polls through ballots.

He claimed that people came to him promising that results can be fixed and he believes that EVM tampering can be done. He alleged that BJP purposefully avoided meddling with votes during assembly elections so as to not be caught doing the same during the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

Message To Scindia & Other Congress Deflectors

The Congress government was toppled as Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned along with his loyalists and deflected to the saffron party. Talking about the act, he said that these deflectors indulged in trading and some even became ministers. "Congress has no place left for those who have left, they won't be welcome even if they wished to come back," he added.

When asked about rebel 'G-23' leaders like Kapil Sibal, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Raj Babbar, Kamal Nath defended them by saying that "they are talking about improving Congress and strengthening the party. They are my friends, we have discussions. Their aim is to take congress in a new direction".

Will He Contest In Race To Became Next Congress President?

Meanwhile, he has maintained a diplomatic stance on whether the next Congress president should be someone other than the Gandhi family members.

"We have an internal election in June, we'll decide then. Outsiders are worried about who will become Congress president, someone from Gandhi family or other than Gandhi family - either will be alright," he said.

"Everyone trusts Rahul Gandhi, he resigned as the president himself," he responded when asked if Rahul has lost the trust of party members.

On being asked if he is interested in becoming Congress president, he replied: "I am not in any race, I have no interest in coming to Delhi".

Finally, when asked about BJP alleging corruption during Congress rule, the former CM defended his government by alleging that a mafia is operating in the state after BJP took over.