'Ready to Leave if You Want...': Kamal Nath To Congress Workers at Hometurf Chhindwara

After putting the buzz over his switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at rest with his announcement of joining Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Gwalior on March 2, Congress veteran Kamal Nath on Wednesday told the party workers that he would not “impose” himself on them and would “leave” if they wanted him to.

Addressing a meeting of the party workers at Harrai on his home turf Chhindwara, the 77-year-old former Chief Minister, who continues to face an uncertain future, said he had been receiving their love and trust for many years.

“If you want to bid farewell to Kamal Nath, it’s your choice. I am ready to leave. I don’t want to impose myself. This is a matter of your choice,” the former MP chief minister told the gathering.

Nath represents the Chhindwara assembly seat, while his son Nakul Nath is a Lok Sabha member from the same constituency. The senior Nath had already announced that Nakul will contest again from this seat.

The veteran politician, who represents the Chhindwara assembly seat, said the BJP projects itself aggressively but Congress workers should not panic.

“We have to vote for securing the future and I have trust in all of you,” he said.

Nath said the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya belongs to all, suggesting that the BJP should not take credit for its construction.

“Does the BJP own the Ram temple? It belongs to all, including me. The temple is constructed with public money. The Supreme Court gave a verdict and since they (BJP) are in power, they constructed the temple,” he said.

Nath also said he worshipped Lord Ram and constructed a big temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman on the land owned by him in Chhindwara.

“We are religious people and keep our culture intact,” he said.

Amid speculations that he might join the BJP, the veteran politician on Tuesday dismissed them as a “media creation”.

“You (media) are making such speculations and nobody else is saying so. Have you ever heard from me? You run the news and ask me. You should refute this news,” Nath told reporters on Tuesday.