A DAY AFTER senior Congress leader Kamal Nath attended a meeting on Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to take stock of preparations for it, several Congress leaders from his stronghold of Chhindwara switched to the BJP Wednesday. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who attended the function where “more than 1,500” Congress leaders joined the BJP, as per his office, was welcomed to Chhindwara by Kamal Nath son's Nakul Nath. The Chhindwara MP, Nakul urged Yadav to ensure early funds for the district and for the Chhindwara Medical College. In a post on X, Nakul also hoped that the BJP government in the state would improve facilities at Chhindwara University, and help the district's farmers who had lost crops to excessive rains. Yadav's visit, which included a road show with local BJP leaders, came days after rumours that Kamal Nath and Nakul were ready to leave the Congress for the party. Kamal Nath, a former CM and the state Congress chief, did not deny or confirm the rumours. The Congress leaders who joined the BJP Wednesday included its state unit general secretary Ajay Singh Ajju Thakur; Congress regional leader Pradeep Junankar; and several members of local civic bodies. BJP leaders in Chhindwara said that with the leaders joining the party, "all the municipalities in the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat are under the BJP's control”. A leader credited the development to the efforts of BJP district president Vivek Bunty Sahu. Addressing the people during the road show, Yadav said: "The love that Chhindwara is giving and the wind that is blowing here, I congratulate you in advance. This time Hanumanji's mace will swing, and victory will be achieved in favour of the BJP. No power can stop this. I welcome you all into the BJP family. Our family is growing and it is a sign, which must be understood. This is the time of Narendra Modi, the most popular Prime Minister.” Referring to the fact that the only seat the Congress won in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was Chhindwara, the CM asked the crowds: “Last time, we didn't get only Chhindwara. This time can I depend on you? Should I keep my faith in Chhindwara?” Promising development for Madhya Pradesh, Yadav, who replaced long-serving BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan as CM, said: "No welfare schemes will be stopped, from Laadli Laxmi (started by Chouhan) to other schemes. Every single promise in the manifesto will be implemented.” Rumours that Congress veteran Kamal Nath, a nine-time MP from Chhindwara before he moved to the state and took over as party chief, could leave the party have been around for some time. They resurfaced after the Congress didn't nominate Kamal Nath for the coming Rajya Sabha polls, and were fanned by his sudden trip to New Delhi on Saturday, cutting short a tour of Chhindwara. However, Kamal Nath spent his time in the Capital closeted with his supporters, who later dismissed rumours that he would join the BJP.
