Chhindwara is Kamal Nath’s political stronghold in Madhya Pradesh.

Bhopal:

Congress veteran Kamal Nath on Monday ruled out contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Jabalpur and said he would not leave Chhindwara, his political stronghold in Madhya Pradesh.

The Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat is currently represented by his son Nakul Nath.

Kamal Nath has represented the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency nine times. He is currently the MLA from Chhindwara assembly seat.

When asked whether he will contest the upcoming Jabalpur assembly elections, Kamal Nath said: “There are no plans. I will not leave Chhindwara under any circumstances. Jabalpur is a Mahakoshal district in Madhya Pradesh. an important parliamentary segment of the country.” He was speaking to reporters in Chhindwara.

The former chief minister had earlier said that his son would contest from Chhindwara.

Asked about the defections of Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, he said, “Suresh Pachauri (former Union minister) joined the BJP. It was his wish.” Senior leader Pachauri Chauri joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday.

Two other former MPs Arunoday Choubey and Shivdayal Bagri also joined the BJP on Monday.

Kamal Nath said Chaube had resigned from parliament.

On speculation that Congress leader Deepak Joshi may also join the BJP, Kamal Nath said: “Wo toh wahin ke the (He belongs to the BJP).” Former BJP chief minister Kaira Kailash Joshi’s son Deepak Joshi joined the Congress party ahead of the 2023 assembly elections but lost the election from Khategaon seat in Dewas district.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)