KAMAL NATH PLAYS HIS HAND

MADHYA PRADESH BY POLLS

- Rahul Noronha

In the days preceding the November 3 bypolls, 73-year-old Kamal Nath—whose government was brought down in March this year by Congress rebels led by Jyotiraditya Scindia—had settled on a new routine. Nearly every morning, Nath, never known to possess a special appetite for public meetings, would set out in his chopper to do just that—hit the ground and meet people in 2-3 constituencies every day. With Chhindwara MP and son Nakul as wingman, Nath clocked many hours on the campaign trail in the small towns and villages of MP. These byelections have been different, for it is after a long time that the Congress is not hamstrung by factional pulls and pressures, something the party’s MP unit has been (in)famous for.

After Scindia parted ways in March, there has been no opposition to Nath in the party. With ex-CM Digvijaya Singh and Nath on the same page on most issues, Nath, as PCC president and leader of the Opposition, has complete control over party matters now. And it shows. Ticket distribution, media and general campaign strategy were all planned by him. He says planning for the campaign started eight months ago, soon after the government fell. “The people are unhappy with defectors, they will not accept this,” says Nath.

While addressing public meet ings, gaddari (betrayal) was the dominant theme, followed by the catchy