'If there's any such thing, will inform you first': Kamal Nath responds to queries on joining BJP

Amidst swirling rumors of a potential defection to the BJP, veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath arrived in the nation's capital on Saturday afternoon, asserting that if any such move were to occur, he would be the first to inform the media.

During his brief interaction with journalists, he urged them not to become overly excited. When questioned directly about his rumored switch to the BJP, Nath replied, "If there would be any such thing, I would inform you first."

Pressed further about whether he was not denying the possibility outright, Nath clarified, "It is not about denying, you are saying this, you people are getting excited. I am not getting excited, this side or that side, but if there would be any such thing, I would inform you first."

In recent days, Nath had been touring his stronghold of Chhindwara, a constituency he represented for nine consecutive terms. His son, Nakul Nath, secured the seat in the 2019 elections, amidst the BJP's dominant performance across the state.

Addressing the speculation surrounding Nath's potential defection, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh remarked earlier in the day in Jabalpur, "I spoke to Kamal Nath at 10.30 pm yesterday, he is in Chhindwara." "A person who started his political journey and stood with the Nehru-Gandhi family when Indira Gandhi was sent to jail by the Janata Party, do you think such a person will ever leave Congress and the Gandhi family?"

Reportedly, Kamal Nath has expressed discontent over not securing a Rajya Sabha seat, coupled with Rahul Gandhi's purported opposition to him since the party's defeat in the late last year's assembly polls.

Following the Congress's dismal performance in the assembly elections, where it won a mere 66 seats against the BJP's landslide victory with 163 seats in the 230-member House, Nath was replaced as the party's Madhya Pradesh unit chief.

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