Accusations flew as veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath criticized the ruling BJP for what he described as a campaign of falsehoods, deception, and manipulation leading up to the Lok Sabha elections. Nath's discontent surfaced following the departure of his trusted allies from his home turf of Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.
Nath alleged that the BJP was leveraging its financial, muscle, and administrative clout during elections, while also intimidating opposition figures. His frustration peaked with the defection of key aides like MLA Kamlesh Shah and Chhindwara mayor Vikram Ahake to the saffron party, which is eyeing to reclaim the lone Congress seat it lost in 2019.
Chhindwara, a constituency Nath represented nine times in the past, remained Congress's sole stronghold amidst a BJP sweep in 2019. Now, Nath's son Nakul, the incumbent MP, is seeking reelection from this seat.
Expressing his dismay on social media platform 'X', Nath asserted his relentless efforts over the past 45 years to foster Chhindwara's development. He lamented the BJP's attempt to transform this revered land into a battleground instead of a center of progress.
Nath cautioned that the people of Chhindwara were closely observing BJP's actions and were determined to retaliate at the ballot box. He accused the BJP of deploying tactics of deceit and manipulation before every election, confident that the people of Chhindwara would deliver a resounding rebuke.
Asserting Chhindwara's dignity, Nath declared that the constituency would not tolerate any affront and would persevere on its developmental trajectory. Meanwhile, Congress leader Kamlesh Shah, along with other local leaders, shifted allegiance to the BJP, prompting speculations about a larger exodus from the Congress.
In response to Nath's criticism, BJP leaders dismissed his allegations as a ploy to sow confusion among voters. They portrayed Nath's concerns as a desperate attempt to cling to power amidst an impending defeat, asserting that voters were ready to reject dynastic politics and embrace grassroots BJP candidates like Vivek Sahu.
As the political drama unfolds in Chhindwara, the battle lines are drawn, with both parties vying for supremacy in this crucial electoral battleground.
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