Kamal Nath Meets Sonia Gandhi Amid Scindia’s ‘Ultimatum’ Over MP Congress Chief Post

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath met interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday, as a dispute over who should head the party’s state unit, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), grew sharper. The meeting followed reports that former Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia had told the party to make him PCC chief or he would “look for other options”.

The tussle over the state unit

Speculation in political circles held that Scindia was in contact with BJP leaders and might leave the party if he was not given the post. Before his name came to the fore, senior leader Ajay Singh, a former Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, had been mentioned as a possible state chief.

Scindia’s backers have campaigned openly for him. Imarti Devi, a state minister and a firm Scindia loyalist, said his supporters would not be content unless he was given the key responsibility in Madhya Pradesh, even if leaders in Maharashtra wanted him there. Some supporters threatened to resign and others held protests, including one in Jabalpur.

Background

Kamal Nath took over as Chief Minister in December. He had been expected to give up the state party post, but with the Lok Sabha elections close at hand he kept both roles. Scindia’s supporters had also wanted him made Deputy Chief Minister, which did not happen despite lengthy negotiations. Scindia is understood to feel he deserves to be “compensated” for not contesting the leadership.

Sensing discontent, the Congress made him chairman of its screening committee for the coming Maharashtra assembly elections, but the move did not appear to have satisfied him.

See also: Indian National Congress | Political leaders

Originally published on 30 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us