‘100 units of free electricity if Congress returns to power’: Kamal Nath kicks off MP poll campaign

From Nari Samman Yojana to loan waivers for 27 lakh farmers, Kamal Nath, on behalf of the Congress, has made a list of poll promises already — return to the old pension scheme (OPS), and an investment of Rs 20 crore to develop Ram Van Gaman Path, covering the areas in Madhya Pradesh where Lord Ram is believed to have stayed during his exile from Ayodhya.

The Congress leaders claim they have an edge already due to “anti-incumbency” against the Chouhan government as well as anger over toppling of the Kamal Nath government formed after the 2018 elections. The BJP had managed to take away 20-plus Congress MLAs, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, to regain power three years ago. According to the Congress, it will build on this by “consistently attacking the BJP on local issues”.

After its electoral victory in Karnataka, the Congress is now eyeing a comeback in Madhya Pradesh. 230 constituencies in the central state will go to elections later this year. This is the first election since Jyotiraditya Scindia led a coup that had felled the Kamal Nath-led government in Madhya Pradesh and paved way for the BJP to ascend to power.

In 2018, the Congress party had won 114 seats in Madhya Pradesh – two short of the majority mark, while the BJP had secured 109 seats. Independent candidates, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the Samajwadi Party had won 4, 2, and 1 seat respectively.

Last week, Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh had expressed confidence that the party will form the next government in Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of former CM Nath.

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