By K S Shaini
Is the Congress high command enraged with MP Congress president and leader of opposition Mr. kamal Nath? This is the talk going around in the political circle after Kamal Nath’s name got struck down from the list of state campaigners of West Bengal.
While the BJP high command assigned the responsibility of the West Bengal campaign to senior leaders from MP including stalwart like Kailash Vijayvargiya, congress could not find a single top leader for the task, till now. The theory was bolstered when, Kamal Nath’s name found a place in the initial list of star campaigner released on March 12, But 10 days later, the list was modified and replaced him by Subodh Kant Sahay.
While the BJP took a potshot, the critics are interpreting it as an indication from the high command to sideline Kamal Nath. Moreover, it is unable to cast aside aspersions that he is downsized in the congress as the high command removed him without mentioning any reason.
Nevertheless, the state congress is all out defending Kamal Nath citing Damoh by-elections. They explained the removal as he can focus on Damoh by-elections. on March 12, when the list of star campaigners has released the dates of by-elections were not announced. After the announcement, Kamal Nath was relieved from the responsibility of West Bengal.
However, the argument does not hold much water. If that was the case, the same should apply to BJP also. But that is happening. In fact, top leaders including chief minister Shivraj Singh continue to be the star campaigners for West Bengal. Actually, being a star campaigner does not mean Kamal Nath has to confine himself to West Bengal. He can hop between MP and West Bengal like Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
Hence the justifications given by the state congress leaders do not stand to reason and reflect a further crisis in the party. It is seen as a compulsion for congress leaders to come up with a face-saving device.
The rift between the two is no longer a secret after Rahul Gandhi expressed his displeasure in public when Kamal Nath called then minister Imarti Devi “Item” taking a jibe at a public meeting during the by-election campaign in October 2020. Rahul Gandhi asked to seek an apology but Kamal Nath refused to accept it.
Recently, inducting Godse Bhakt Babulal Chaurasiya in Congress added fuel to the existing fissure. Kamal Nath removed senior leader Manak Agarwal after he questioned the induction of Babulal into the party.
The issue reached Delhi and according to sources, Rahul Gandhi saw it as a violation of party norms and on his hint, Kamal Nath was removed as a Star campaigner.
After all, Rahul Gandhi is one of the Congress leaders who is opposing RSS ideology tooth and nail.
