The Congress on Saturday appointed Jitu Patwari as its Madhya Pradesh unit chief replacing Kamal Nath, days after the party's dismal performance in the recently-concluded Assembly elections. "Hon’ble Congress President has appointed Shri Jitu Patwari as the President of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect," an official statement by the Congress said. कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge द्वारा श्री @jitupatwari को मध्य प्रदेश कांग्रेस कमेटी का प्रदेश अध्यक्ष, श्री @UmangSinghar को CLP लीडर और श्री @HemantKatareMP को डिप्टी लीडर नियुक्त किया गया है। आपको नई जिम्मेदारी की बधाई एवं भविष्य के लिए शुभकामनाएं। pic.twitter.com/sF2A3ScvcK — Congress (@INCIndia) December 16, 2023 The statement added that the party appreciates the contributions of outgoing PCC President Kamal Nath. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has also approved the proposal for the appointment of Umang Singhar as the CLP Leader and Hemant Katare as the deputy leader of Madhya Pradesh. In Chhattisgarh, where the Congress suffered an embarrassing defeat, the party has approved the proposal for the appointment of Charan Das Mahant as the CLP Leader of the state with immediate effect. However, Deepak Baij will continue as the President of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee. कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge द्वारा श्री @DrCharandas को छत्तीसगढ़ का CLP लीडर नियुक्त किया गया है। आपको बधाई एवं भविष्य के लिए शुभकामनाएं। pic.twitter.com/UbQbhRx9F4 — Congress (@INCIndia) December 16, 2023 The Madhya Pradesh campaign for the Assembly elections was led by Kamal Nath. Days after its humiliating defeat, the Congress central leadership reviewed the reasons for the drubbing with state leaders. While the meeting was said to be cordial, sources said those at the helm of affairs in both the states came in for harsh criticism. Sources said state party leaders flagged complacency, the lack of coordination and unity, the lack of resources, the failure to counter the BJP campaign and the inability to take the Congress promises to the people as the reasons for the defeat. The BJP routed the Congress in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, winning 163 of the 230 seats, while the grand old party, which was hoping to cash in on an almost two-decade anti-incumbency, was reduced to just 66. Defying exit polls that predicted a clear edge for the Congress, the BJP unseated the CM Bhupesh Baghel-led government in the tribal-dominated state, winning 54 seats. The Congress was reduced to 35 seats in the Chhattisgarh Assembly from 68 in 2018.
