The Congress party has taken a decisive step following its defeat in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections by removing Kamal Nath as the state unit chief. The announcement was made on Saturday, with Jitu Patwari slated to assume the role as the new President of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC).
A statement issued by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal confirmed the change in leadership, expressing gratitude for Kamal Nath’s contributions while appointing Jitu Patwari as his successor with immediate effect.
The assembly election results saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secure a resounding victory, clinching 163 out of 230 seats, effectively navigating through two decades of anti-incumbency. In contrast, the Congress faced a setback, securing only 66 seats, a considerable decline from the 114 seats it won in 2018, which facilitated its government formation in the state.
Addressing the press post-results, Kamal Nath acknowledged the need to introspect on the party’s performance, highlighting the necessity to understand the voters’ perspective and evaluate the apparent gaps in their communication.
Kamal Nath’s tenure as Chief Minister was brief, lasting only 15 months, marred by a crisis when 23 MLAs rebelled, reducing his government to a minority in the assembly. Despite the electoral loss, Nath managed to secure victory in Chhindwara with a significant margin of over 35,000 votes.
Stepping into Kamal Nath’s shoes, Jitendra alias Jitu Patwari, a former minister in Nath’s government, is set to assume leadership responsibilities. Although successful in the 2018 elections from Rau, he faced defeat in the recent polls by a margin exceeding 35,000 votes.
This leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for the Madhya Pradesh Congress, signaling an intention to reevaluate strategies and mobilize resources under Jitu Patwari’s leadership, as the party aims to address the underlying reasons for its electoral setback and prepare for future political engagements.
Sources By Agencies
