In between a BJP leader challenged Kamal Nath by saying that had he uttered ‘item” word in his area, he could not have returned alive.

While addressing public meeting in Dimani, minister Giriraj Dandotiya had said, “What Kamal Nath has said in Dabra, if someone had said this against the mothers and sisters of Chambal, he would have been killed and his dead body would have been sent to his home. It was good, Kamal Nath was in Dabra.

Many BJP leaders described Kamal Nath as outsider. They pointed out that in 1980 Kamal Nath came from Kolkatta. After reaching here he contested for the leadership of M.P. Congress legislature party when Arjun Singh and tribal leader Shiv Bhanu Singh Solanki were other contestants. Off course he lost but later contested from Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat which he retained till 2019 barring once.

Madhya Pradesh witnessed an extraordinary event. MP High Court passed an order providing guidelines for holding election rallies and public meetings. Guidelines are so tough that this would make it difficult to hold rallies and public meetings.

BJP has approached the Supreme Court against the High Court’s order. An extraordinary development took place when the Election Commission approached the Supreme Court. The Election Commission in its appeal pointed out that Article 324 of the constitution vests in it the authority to conduct the elections and oversee the electoral process.

The commission has contended that High Court’s order is against its directions regarding gatherings as well as the state’s Covid-19protocol that lays down the limitations for allowing such congregations.

The High Court order came on a PIL which pointed out that various political parties were holding physical campaigns ignoring the Covid-19 risk and that authorities were turning a blind eye to this.

The High Court said: “In a contest / clash between right to campaigning and right to health and life, it is obvious that the right to health and life takes precedence. Right to health and life is comparatively more exalted, sacred and precious right when compared with the right to canvassing and campaigning. Thus, the right of candidate to campaign has to yield to the right to health and life of the electorate.”

It asked District magistrates not to grant permission for physical congregations for election campaigns unless it can be proved that conduct of a virtual campaign is not possible, subject to EC approval.

While describing Kamal Nath as Ravana, chief minister Shiv Raj Singh Chouhan during an election meeting accused Kamal Nath of deceiving the people of Madhya Pradesh in the name of farm loan waiver.

Chouhan said Congress is trying to fool the people of Madhya Pradesh again. “Nath government did nothing for farmers, youths and women and scrapped all development works. Now they are claiming that if their government had survived, they would have made large scale recruitments in government jobs. You did not do it in 15 month, now answer why you could not deliver” he asked.

“Ravana also deceived Mata Sita and abducted her. People should not fall for the Congress bluff this time” Chouhan said.

“Nath never stepped out of Vallabh Bhavan (secretariat) to understand the pain of the common men and is now asking for votes” Chouhan said in Ambah. He further said BJP could have formed the government after 2018 assembly polls. “We were short of majority by a few seats, but our vote percentage was more. Congress formed the government with the help of Independents and few of them were also ready to come with us. At one point, we even considered forming the government, but then we decided Congress has won more seats, so let it form the government and we sit in the opposition”. He said.

“We were hopeful that Congress returned to power after fifteen years and will work for people and that the party will fulfil promises in its manifesto. But it did not do anything in its 15-month tenure,” Chouhan added.

On his part Kamal Nath said “People had made Shivraj the chief minister of Madhy Pradesh for 15 years but he pushed the state to backwardness”.

Referring to the industrial area of Malanpur, the former chief minister said that it is only known for liquor “More industries are shutting down and no new industrial units are being setup in the state” Nath said.

Nath said that people of MP will never trust Chouhan and were in no mood to make him retain the chair. “I am not mama and I don’t carry a Nariyal (coconut) for inauguration ceremonies. I have also not sold tea. I am Kamal Nath” he said. (IPA Service)