"I had said would not strike a deal with anyone, kursi jati hai toh jaye," says former MP CM Kamal Nath
Nov 13, 2023
Narmadapuram (Madhya Pradesh) [India], November 13 : Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath on Monday reacted to the toppling of his government in 2020 saying he had said that he would not strike a deal with anyone if the government fell and let it fall.
Nath made the remark while addressing a public meeting in Pipariya area in the district in view of the upcoming state assembly polls scheduled to be held this week.
"Soon after I became the Chief Minister, a deal was struck. Being a CM, even I could have made a deal. MLAs used to come to me and say that they were being offered so many crores of rupees. But I said that I will not strike a deal with anyone. Kursi jati hai toh jaaye (if the government falls, let it fall), I am not going to make a deal and I did not make a deal. Today everything is in front of you (the public), Nath said.
He further targeted CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying he was a good artist and his lie machine and announcement machine were running at a double speed these days.
"All I want to say to you (the public) is that you should recognize CM Chouhan, he is a good artist. His lie machine and announcement machine are running at double speed these days. Women were not remembered for the last 18 years but when elections came, women started being remembered," the congress leader said.
He also said that they (Congress) would give a financial assistance of Rs 1500 a month to women and would give an LPG gas cylinder at the rate of Rs 500. Only a few days were left.
"In the end I only want to say one thing, that the button which you will press on November 17 that button will not be pressed only of Congress candidate or the Congress party, you will press the button of truth," the Congress leader added.
The state is set to undergo polls on November 17 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3. Voters will choose legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies.
Notably, the last state assembly polls in 2018 saw the Congress coming to power, with veteran leader Kamal Nath taking oath as the chief minister. Nonetheless, a political upheaval rocked the state in 2020 after then-Congressman Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with 22 loyalist MLAs, switched over to the saffron camp.
The Congress government fell after being reduced to a minority and the BJP formed the government, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan returning as chief minister.