In the run-up to the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections scheduled for 17th November, a heated exchange of words has ignited tensions between Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and senior Congress leaders, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and former CM Kamal Nath.
Vadra accused Chouhan of misleading the public and emphasized that the Congress does not operate under a dictatorship, a stark contrast to her view of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kamal Nath joined the verbal battle, accusing Chouhan of using inappropriate language against the Gandhi family and asserting that his party does not make empty promises.
On the other hand, Chouhan questioned why the public welfare schemes of his government were halted during Kamal Nath’s Congress administration in the state. He targeted the Congress, especially Priyanka Gandhi, for the party’s promises of free education and cash incentives to students in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that Kamal Nath was compelling even the Gandhi family to make false announcements.
Priyanka Gandhi vowed that her party would grant scholarships to every child in Madhya Pradesh, regardless of caste, religion, or class, under a scholarship scheme. The scheme includes monthly allocations of ₹500 for students in Classes 1 to 8, ₹1,000 for those in Classes 9 and 10, and ₹1,500 for students in Classes 11 and 12.
During a public rally in Madhya Pradesh, Vadra predicted Chouhan’s exit from power, highlighting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was avoiding mentioning the Chief Minister’s name in his speeches within the state. Chouhan retaliated by referring to Vadra’s statements made in the tribal-dominated Mandla district on October 12.
Furthermore, Chouhan took a dig at the Congress leadership, particularly Kamal Nath, for the party’s promises of free education and financial incentives to students in Madhya Pradesh. He alleged that Nath was pushing the Gandhi family to make false announcements, recounting a specific incident where Priyanka Gandhi initially announced annual incentives but later corrected it to monthly payouts.
This verbal confrontation sets the stage for a fiercely contested assembly election in Madhya Pradesh, with political leaders trading barbs and challenging each other’s promises and leadership styles. The outcome of the elections will ultimately be decided by the voters of Madhya Pradesh as they weigh these fiery exchanges against the policies and track records of the contesting parties.
