Kamal Nath comes back in new avatar

Still, the ride to the Lok Sabha is not smooth. Opponent Patwa’s organisation, the BJP, is definitely in a better shape than Kamal Nath’s Congress. In fact, there is no organisation, the Congress here is a Kamal Nath outfit.

The BJP’s edge in urban areas is visible. And to Kamal Nath’s discomfiture, the BJP has penetrated the rural and tribal areas as well. Atal Behari Vajpayee held an impressive meeting; Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is campaigning here.

SoniaGandhi’s public meeting here was a big morale booster for Kamal Nath. Sonia briefly strayed from her written speech to emphasise Kamal Nath’s old relationship with the Gandhi-Nehru family and sought votes for Kamal Nath by name which she has not done elsewhere, not even in Arjun Singh’s constituency. Later she, and son Rahul, had lunch at Kamal Nath’s Kamal Kunj’.

Sonia’s statements seem to have pacified to some extent the women who were angry with Kamal Nath for having made wife Alka Nath resign and force the by-election last year. Kamal Nath has told other State leaders to stay away from campaigning; he says he doesn’t need them. But friends are dropping in — Kapil Dev did, Sunil Dutt is expected.

There are in all 17 candidates in this constituency including a Shiv Sena candidate. In the by-election, the Sena had supported Patwa. Kamal Nath’s supporters are hopi- ng that the Sena votes will make a difference this time.