Last Updated: November 11, 2023, 10:35 IST
Kamal Nath said his name as the next chief minister of Congress “will be decided upon by the people of Madhya Pradesh”. (PTI)
Why was Shivraj Chouhan reminded of ‘Ladli Behanas’ only five months before the elections and not during the 18 years in power, the former CM asked
With less than a week to go for polls in the state, Nath told CNN-News18 in Chhindwara on Friday that the main issues in the MP elections were “corruption, unemployment and farmer issues” and said his name as the next chief minister of Congress “will be decided upon by the people of Madhya Pradesh”.
The state Congress chief also said every single person in the state was “either a victim or a witness to corruption” under the Chouhan regime. He questioned why Chouhan was reminded of ‘Ladli Behanas’ only five months before the elections and not during the 18 years in power, referring to the chief minister’s scheme of Rs 1,250 per month for women.
Edited Excerpts:
There is less than a week to go for polls in MP. What are the main issues in the elections?
There are so many issues — corruption, unemployment, farmer issues… and the picture is clear to the people of the state. I am sure that they will vote to ensure a secure future. Every single person in MP is either a victim of corruption or a witness to corruption.
BJP is saying ‘MP ke Mann Mein Modi’ and the PM has done six rallies in the last two days in the state…
This is a state election. Narendra Modi is not contesting to become chief minister. He is not campaigning to become chief minister. Isn’t it? BJP is shy and hesitant to name Shivraj Singh Chouhan-ji as the chief ministerial face. I do not know why. Let them name him. Let them name anybody.
But Chouhan is doing 10 rallies daily…
Yes, despite that the BJP is not naming him as their CM face.
Your party said ‘MP Mange Kamal Nath’, so your name is clear as CM face…
My name as CM will be decided by the people of Madhya Pradesh.
You say the main issue in the elections is corruption of the BJP government but Amit Shah is calling you ‘Corruption Nath’…
Everything is transparent. The witnesses of my government (for 15 months) are the people of the state, they know what it was. Humne apni neeti our niyat ka parichay diya hai (We have given proof of our policy and intent). We waived farm loans of 27 lakh farmers in the state in my term as the CM.
You are focussing a lot on women voters in your guarantees… you have also written an open letter to women today…
See, when I announced Rs 1,500 p.m. for women earlier this year, Shivraj-ji announced Rs 1,000 p.m. for women. Inko Ladli behenen 18 saal baad yaad aayi, 5 mahine election se pehle announce kiya, usse pehle yeh behanen ladli nahin thi? Ab yeh chunav aa gaya toh yeh saari behenen ladli ban gayi. (They did not remember sisters for 18 years, but announced their scheme just 5 months before elections. Were these sisters not ladalis earlier? Just because elections came, all women became ladalis for them).
Amit Shah is saying that you will stop ‘Ladli behana’ scheme if you come to power.
Amit Shah can say anything. MP ki janta ko kispar vishwas hai, this is the ultimate thing. We believe they trust us.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are also campaigning in MP now…
Their campaign is having a lot of positive impact. I am getting so much demand for them (from Congress candidates) in Madhya Pradesh for their rallies. But they have to go to Telangana and Chhattisgarh also.
