Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has remarked on the substantial victory of the India Bloc in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, suggesting that the performance of the opposition coalition will provide a new direction to national politics in the days to come. Addressing queries about his son Nakulnath's loss in Chhindwara, the senior Congress leader emphasized it's not a mere loss of one seat but a significant setback across the state.
The ruling BJP celebrated a sweeping victory by securing all 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. Kamal Nath pointed out that while the BJP had aimed for a 'beyond 400' win, they managed to secure victories in only 240 constituencies.
Speaking to the media after meeting party workers at a hotel in his home district Chhindwara, the veteran Congress leader noted, "Our coalition performed well. Prime Minister Modi aimed for a beyond 400 victory, but the BJP only got 240 seats. On the other hand, we (I.N.D.I.A. Bloc) secured a respectable 234 seats, which will redefine politics in the upcoming days."
When prompted about the potential formation of an India Bloc government at the center, Kamal Nath observed that although the NDA coalition is currently in power, such opportunities could be explored if the situation alters.
Following the Lok Sabha election results, Kamal Nath was summoned by the Congress leadership to New Delhi, yet he firmly stated his intention to first visit Chhindwara to meet those who have been steadfastly supporting him through the years before making his way to the national capital.
In a prior address to party workers, the former CM acknowledged that the people of Chhindwara had given him a 'farewell', accepting it as part of his 45-year-old relationship with them. The ex-Union minister underlined the necessity to 'post-mortem' the electoral loss in his home region.
Kamal Nath instructed party workers to identify and report the reasons behind this defeat to him.
Nakul Nath, while speaking on this occasion, affirmed his intention to remain in Chhindwara, with the next objective being to win the assembly by-election in the district's Amarwara.
To note, BJP candidate Vivek Bunty Sahu dealt a considerable blow to Congress, defeating Nakul Nath in Chhindwara by a margin of 113,618 votes. This victory marks only the second time BJP has claimed the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat.
The first instance occurred 27 years prior when former Chief Minister and veteran BJP leader Sundarlal Patwa succeeded in defeating Kamal Nath in the 1997 by-election. Elections have been held at this seat since 1952.
