WEB DESK
Finally 72-year-old Kamal Nath was declared the party choice for Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh late last night. At a meeting of Congress legislators in Bhopal. Jyotiraditya Scindia, the rival claimant, seconded his name at the meeting where the announcement was made. Kamal Nath will call on Governor Anandiben Patel Friday to formally stake claim to government formation.
Nath was chosen as the Chief Minister after hectic parleys and the Congress Legislature Party meeting on Thursday. The veteran leader managed an upper hand over Jyotiraditya Scindia in Congress’ inter-generational tug-of-war for the top post.
In the run-up to the Assembly polls, veteran Congressmen have shown a decided preference for state assignments. Realising that there is no place for them in Team Rahul, the septuagenarian leaders are vying with young-ish party colleagues for pole position in their respective states.
In Bhopal, soon after he was named CM-designate, Kamal Nath thanked Scindia and said he was happy because he had worked with his father, the late Madhavrao Scindia. “For me, this post is a milestone… We shall work together to fulfil promises made in our manifesto. I had no demands. I have worked all my life without hankering for any post. I have worked with Sanjay Gandhi, Indiraji, Rajivji and now Rahul Gandhi,” he said.
Earlier, before Nath and Scindia flew to Bhopal, Gandhi put out a photograph with the two leaders and a caption quoting Leo Tolstoy: “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”
But there was no word on who would head the party governments in Jaipur and Raipur with rival camps within staking claim to power.
Around 11 pm, Congress president Rahul Gandhi was still holding talks — for the second time in the day — with Rajasthan veteran Ashok Gehlot and state unit president Sachin Pilot. Both were vying for the post of the Chief Minister.
Sources said Pilot let Gandhi know that he had worked very hard in the last five years and justice should, therefore, be done. Gehlot who was returning to Jaipur after day-long deliberations had reached the Delhi airport when he was told to return to the Gandhi home.
Meanwhile, Congress contenders for the top job in Chhattisgarh — T S Singh Deo, Bhupesh Baghel, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant — were said to be leaving for New Delhi for talks Friday.
