Bhopal. The Congress party made a comeback to power in Madhya Pradesh after 15 years, since the inception of the new government, the Congress leaders made several blunders. To begin with, former Chief Minister Kamal Nath failed to handle the dissatisfaction rising within the party which resulted with stalwart leader Jyotiraditya Scindia broke the relationship with the grand old party, as a result, the power slipped from the hands of the Congress. Kamal Nath has now again run into trouble. He spoke inappropriately about the cabinet minister of the province and BJP candidate from Dabra, Imarti Devi.
Kamal Nath's statement, which created an uproar
On Sunday, the former Chief Minister Kamal Nath reached the Dabra Assembly in Gwalior to support the Congress candidate, where he referred to the Minister Imarti Devi as an 'item'. Former CM targeted the BJP candidate from the stage and said, 'Why should I even name her because you know her more than me.’ He went on to say that ‘the public should have warned me in advance, that what ‘item’ she is.’
Imarti Devi's slams Kamal Nath
Cabinet Minister Imarti Devi, in retaliation to the statement of former CM Kamal Nath, has appealed to the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi to look into the matter and take cognizance of the statement in order to show Kamal Nath way out of the Congress. "I want to make a request to BJP that such people should be taught a lesson. Is it my fault that I have a name which is Imarti. I used to consider Kamal Nath as an elder brother but today he has disrespected me. I want to say to him that you are not fit for politics," she added.
Also Read: MP bypolls: BJP decries Nath's 'item' jibe for woman candidate
Who is Imarti Devi?
Imarti Devi is an MLA from Dabra assembly seat in Gwalior district; she too rebelled along with Jyotiraditya Scindia, and quit the Congress to join BJP. She became an MLA for the first time in 2008. Devi is contesting on a BJP ticket from Dabra assembly seat on one of the 28 seats on which the by-election is being held. She is currently a minister in Shivraj's cabinet. She has the responsibility of the Women and Child Development Department.
CM Shivraj has opened a front against Kamal Nath
Kamal Nath's statement has come at a time when the by-elections are being held in 28 seats of Madhya Pradesh. The BJP got an issue against the Congress effortlessly, which the ruling party took no time to capitalize on. The Chief Minister of the state, Shivraj Singh Chauhan also sat on ‘maun vrat’ i.e. a silent fast. BJP is making the best effort to take the statement among the common masses as much as possible. For this, the BJP has opened a front against Kamal Nath in the entire state.
BJP is observing ‘maun vrat’ in the entire state
In the capital Bhopal where Home Minister Narottam Mishra and Cabinet Minister Vishwas Sarang along with CM Shivraj sat on a ‘maun vrat’ i.e. silent fast, BJP state president VD Sharma took command in Gwalior, while Jyotiraditya Scindia in Indore against Nath's 'offensive' statement.
Congress may have to pay the price for this controversial statement
Congress may find itself in serious trouble due to this statement made by the former CM Kamal Nath. The region of Gwalior-Chambal has a substantial population of Dalit community, that is why BJP is trying to take political mileage by branding the statement as an insult of a Dalit woman. In such a situation, the BJP’s politics of ‘maun vrat’ may cost a heavy price to Congress. Keeping the timing of the by-election, the BSP too has joined the strike against Kamal Nath. BSP supremo Mayawati has also condemned the statement of Nath as ultra-shameful and highly condemnable and has even asked the Congress high command to publicly apologize for the same.
Also Read: BJP leader urges Sonia to dismiss Kamal Nath over his 'item' jibe
Congress seems to be visibly on the back foot due to Kamal Nath's remark
On this statement made on Cabinet Minister Imarti Devi, where the BJP has got an opportunity to attack, the Congress has come on the back foot. This statement of Kamal Nath may change the outcome of the by-election. In the light of the present turn of events, the anger and resentment of the Dalit voters can ruin the Congress's dream of returning to power. Of the 28 seats where the by-elections are being held, 16 seats are from Gwalior-Chambal area, where Dalits are quite vocal. Most protests against the amendments made in the SC/ST Act have also been witnessed in this region.
Kamal Nath has given controversial statements on women in the past too
On the question of giving tickets to women at the time of assembly elections in 2018, Kamal Nath had said that women in his party have not been given tickets on the basis of 'quota and dressing up’. His statement was then condemned by various women's organizations, as well as the BJP, which had targeted him. He made this statement when he was asked why Congress has been miserly in giving tickets to women. In the last assembly election, Congress had given tickets to only 25 women out of 230 contesting seats.
Digvijay Singh has also given a controversial statement
It is not only the former CM Kamal Nath who has made such an inappropriate remark about a woman but also the former CM Digvijay Singh had given an objectionable statement about his own party leader Meenakshi Natarajan, which had offended her profusely. Although, he later clarified his statement, by then BJP had connected his statement with the dignity of women and made it an issue.
Also Read: Exclusive: Kamal Nath has never allowed me to sit on chairs, says Imarti Devi
