Immediately after the declaration of Lok Sabha results Kamal Nath held three important meetings. They included a meeting of all the Congress candidates who contested Lok Sabha elections from the state. The other meeting was that of the Cabinet and the third was the meeting of Legislature party.

Among all the three meetings most critical was that of the Legislature party. Congress is seeking to take all necessary steps to ensure stability of the state government before budget session of Vidhan Sabha which is expected to begin in July.

Currently there are 28 cabinet ministers in the Nath ministry which includes two women and an Independent. A further six members can be added as the strength of the council of ministers cannot exceed 34- which is 15% of the total number of seats in the 230 member assembly.

In the assembly elections held in November last year Congress won 114 seats and formed the government with the support of SP and the BSP who won one and two seats respectively. Moreover, four Independent MLAs who were Congress rebels had also extended their support thus taking the total number of MLAs on the Congress side to 121. BJP on the other hand had won 109 seats.

Meanwhile Kamal Nath summoned special meeting of the Cabinet to review the party’s humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

According to media reports Chief Minister conveyed his annoyance over the failure of Ministers to convince voters about measures taken by state Government for the benefit of the people. In this connection he particularly mentioned the farmers’ loan waiver scheme.

Nath, during a review meeting of farm loan waiver on Tuesday told his ministers that several people during election had informed him of not getting loan waiver. Nath wanted to know from his ministers that when the loan was waived off then why they did not get the votes.

Finance minister Tarun Bhanot and agriculture minister Sachin Yaday told Nath that farm loan waiver failed to yield desired results as all issues appeared small before nationalism during the Lok Sabha polls. The farm loan waiver was implemented but it could not beat other national issues contended the ministers. They also argued that BJP created confusion among farmers on farm load waiver and they did not vote in Congress favour.

It was decided in the meeting that farm loan waiver should be implemented district wise to make it more effective. Bhanot suggested that loans of all debtors in small amounts should be waived so that good impression could be created.

It came up during the meeting that farm loan waiver at one-go did not benefit Congress during elections. Nath said the farmers whose loan has been waived should be informed on phone. The ministers suggested that phone calls have been made earlier and calling them again may create further confusion.

Nath instructed the officers to continue the process of farm loan waiver. A provision for money for farm loan waiver would also be made in the budget. Nath also sought information from the officials about the loan waiver procedure. The officials of Finance department told Nath about the procedure. Nath said every farmer who took loan should be assured that the government was committed to waiving farmers loan.

Another issue which is being widely discussed in the Congress circles relates to the appointment of new PCC chief. At present Kamal Nath holds both the posts of the Chief Minister and PCC chief. Meanwhile there is speculation that Jyotiraditya Scindia may get the top party post. This speculation got currency after reports reaching Bhopal revealed that Scindia cancelled his proposed rallies in Madhya Pradesh apparently because Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asked him to stay back in Delhi.

Three days ago AICC General Secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Deepak Bavaria had said that a new PCC Chief would be appointed within a month but state Congress leaders differ with him. They say the change should begin from the top starting with the Congress working committee and will take time to trickle down to the states. “Change is imminent after the party’s debacle in Lok Sabha elections. But the rout is pan India.” A senior PCC office bearer pointed out. (IPA Service)