MP CM Kamal Nath Addresses the Media Hours After Assuming Office

Hours after assuming office as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath cleared the proposal of waiving farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh as promised by Congress president Rahul Gandhi ahead of assembly polls.

Congress leader Kamal Nath was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal’s Jamburi Maidan on Monday, 17 December.

Governor Anandiben Patel, who administered the oath of office to Nath, had, on Friday 14 December, invited Nath to form the new government in the state.

In a show of Opposition solidarity, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar were present at the swearing-in ceremony in Bhopal. Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Mallikarjun Kharge also attended the event.

On the day of taking oath as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath has initiated the process to waive off farmers' loans.

The Congress party had promised to write off farm loans within 10 days of assuming office.

Those present at the swearing-in ceremony included Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, AICC General Secretary Mallikarjun Kharge, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, his deputy Sachin Pilot, MPs Jyotiraditya Scindia, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, DMK's MK Stalin, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and Kamal Nath's predecessor and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan were also present.

Kamal Nath took the oath of office as the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister on Monday, 17 December.

The Congress had on Thursday, 13 December, named Nath, the nine-time Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara, as the CM-desginated after hours of hectic parleys between party chief Rahul Gandhi and senior party leaders.

Nath, who has previously held several portfolios in the Union Cabinet, was appointed the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president on 26 April. He played a key leader in steering the party to a win in the 28 November Assembly polls.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders including Farooq Abdullah and Sharad Yadav arrived for oath ceremony of Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.

Former PM and JD(S) National President HD Devegowda met Gandhi at the swearing-in ceremony venue.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath, reported ANI.

According to the news agency, Nath telephoned Chandrababu Naidu and extended him an invitation.

• Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar
• Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav
• DMK President MK Stalin
• Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav
• SP leader Akhilesh Yadav
• BSP leader Mayawati
• AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh CM at 1:30 pm on 17 December.

A day after the Congress party chose MP state unit chief Kamal Nath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was also considered to be in the race for the chief minister's post told NDTV, “I have abided by the decision and it is the gospel for me.”

Responding to a question on his equation with Nath, Scindia added, “I don’t have hunger for a post and that gets demonstrated when you are in a position of cross-roads.”

Taking a swipe at the BJP, Scindia said that despite winning three of the five state elections, the Congress party will not take anything for granted and will prepare for the 2019 elections. He also said that the party will sit together and decide the face of the Opposition party for the Lok Sabha polls.

Rooting for Gandhi, Scindia said, “Rahul Gandhi should be the Prime Ministerial candidate for the country.”

Madhya Pradesh CM-designate Kamal Nath said that he will live up to people’s expectations.

“I would like to thank public and I hope that we will live up to the expectations that public has from us and the Congress party. Our priorities will be agriculture sector and generating employment for the youth,” he said.

Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated Kamal Nath on being appointed the chief minister of the state.

“ I would like congratulate Kamal Nath Ji and convey my best wishes to him. I hope he will fulfill all the promises he has made and continue with the schemes we had implemented.,” he said.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga took to Twitter to announce that he will protest against the appointment of Kamal Nath as the MP CM for his alleged involvement in the 1984 Sikh riots.

Kamal Nath will take oath as the Madhya Pradesh chief minister at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal on 17 December.

Kamal Nath will meet Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel at 10.30 am to take forward the government formation and discuss the details of swearing-in ceremony.

“Jyotiraditya Scindia, Digvijaya Singh and all the other leaders have to be accommodated,” Kamal Nath told India Today.

Kamal Nath also said that the party will fulfil its promise of writing off farm loans within 10 days of forming the government.

“I proved Modi-Shah are not invincible,” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister designate Kamal Nath told India Today, in a pre-recorded interview in New Delhi, aired moments after the announcement was made by Congress.

Nath also said, “I was hungry to bring the Congress back in the state, I was not hungry for any post... There was a sense of nervousness and I accepted the results to be better. But we won in the end.”

On being questioned about the poll results, Nath said, “I was anxious, but then the confidence came in by 10 pm, because even if the BJP had brought in all rebels, they couldn't have won.”

After a day of suspense, the Congress party chose Kamal Nath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. The state will not have a deputy chief minister.

Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia arrive in Bhopal.

Congress state President Kamal Nath has left for Bhopal. and said, “MLAs meeting will be held and we will announce the CM name after that .”

Speaking to the media, Jyotiraditya Scindia said, “It is not a race, it is not about kursi (post), we are here to serve the people of Madhya Pradesh. I am leaving for Bhopal and you will get to know the decision today.”

Kamal Nath reaches Rahul Gandhi’s residence.

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, who has been ordered to be extradited to India by a UK court, on Thursday, 13 December, congratulated Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia over the party’s wins in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls.

Mallya, who had accused politicians and the media of making him a 'poster boy' of bank default while presenting himself as the victim of a witch hunt, took to Twitter to congratulate the two young leaders of Congress, which defeated the ruling BJP in the assembly elections.

A poster congratulating Kamal Nath for being named CM is seen outside Congress office in Bhopal.

News agency ANI reports supporters of Jyotiradiya Scindia have gathered outside Congress party office in Bhopal. Ahead of the announcement of the chief minister’s name for the state, the party supporters have assembled with posters and banners outside the party office.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, in an interaction with CNN News18, said that the newly appointed Madhya Pradesh chief minister will take oath this week. He also said the name of the chief minister will be announced soon.

Sonia Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia have reached Rahul Gandhi’s residence.

Reports suggest that the announcement for CM’s post is to be made in a short while.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that he has no plans to be a part of the central government.

Speaking to the media, Chouhan said, “I will not go to centre, I’ll live in Madhya Pradesh and die in Madhya Pradesh.”

In a video posted on social media, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Majinder Singh Sirsa said that the party will launch nationwide protests if Kamal Nath is made the chief minister of MP, alleging Nath’s involvement in 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 13 December said that he will announce the names of the chief ministers for states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh after taking inputs from the party MLAs.

“We are taking inputs from different people in the party. We are taking inputs from MLAs, from workers. You will see a Chief Minister soon,” he said.

BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit chief Rakesh Singh has offered his resignation from the post taking responsibility for the defeat in the state elections.

Congress MLAs will hold a meeting in Bhopal at 4 pm.

Biding his farewell in a tweet, Chouhan reminded the people in Madhya Pradesh that a government regime comes and goes but (Madhya) Pradesh will be forever. The former chief minister added that he is satisfied and proud of bring progress in his state.

Amid hectic lobbying for the post of chief minister in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has asked the party workers to tell their top choice for the chief minister post in each of the three states, party sources told PTI.

Using an internal messaging platform for the party workers, Gandhi sent out to them a pre-recorded audio message seeking their feedback for selection of the chief minister in their respective states, the sources added.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, “After consulting everybody we'll give a CM candidate and a government that truly reflects will of people of these 3 states.”

He further said that the party will start the process of loan waiver, We'll start process of loan waiver, process of creating new employment opportunities and reconstruction of these states in accordance with people's will.

In a tweet, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the newly elected MLAs of Madhya Pradesh have reached a consensus that the leadership of MP government will be decided by the party high command.

Congress party has chosen MP state unit president Kamal Nath as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, sources told The Quint. However, a formal announcement is subjected to Rahul Gandhi’s approval.

A one-line resolution has been passed at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bhopal. The High Command will take a decision on the Chief Minister face.

Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia received Observer AK Antony at the Bhopal Airport in Madhya Pradesh.

The party MLAs' meeting begins at 4 pm today.

Outgoing Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that his government worked tirelessly for the people of the state and he hopes that the new government continues the same.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav thanked the people of MP for their support and said that he welcomes people’s mandate against the BJP.

“We welcome the mandate. We didn't perform well but we would like to thank the public of Madhya Pradesh for supporting us. We have decided to support Congress in MP. BJP has spread hatred and deceived public, they will be given an answer in LS elections,” he said.

Former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan took to Twitter to thank the party leadership and the people of the state for the huge mandate that the BJP got in the elections.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh took Twitter to thank BSP supremo Mayawati for extending support to the Congress in MP and said that Rahul and Sonia Gandhi are determined to fulfil her wishes.

Congress workers celebrate party’s victory in Bhopal.

Congress leader Narendra Saluja after meeting Governor Anandiben Patel claimed support of 121 MLAs.

“We have met Governor and staked claim to form the government, we have the support of 121 MLAs, the situation is clear,” he said.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the people had given a clear mandate to the party in all the states including MP.

Sonia Gandhi expresses happiness over assembly polls outcome, says this is Congress victory over BJP's negative politics, according to PTI.

Congress delegation led by Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia reached governor Anandiben Patel’s residence to stake claim on government formation, CNN-News18 reported.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said that the state election results expressed people’s displeasure towards the BJP and that the Congress was now being seen as an alternative.

“Congress has played an important role in giving alternative to BJP. Congress was receptive towards other small parties. BSP and SP should be a part of our alliance. They aren't yet together with us. People have expressed displeasure on 4.5 years of BJP rule,” he said.

Congress leader Shobha Oza said that Kamal Nath will meet former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan at 1 pm and the decision for the Congress’ CM candidate will be taken later.

“At 1 PM Kamal Nath will meet former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan as a courtesy visit. At 4 PM we have a meeting of party MLAs and AK Antony is coming as observer and after it we will put in a word with Rahul Ji,” he said.

Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, after tendering his resignation to governor Anandiben Patel, took responsibility of the defeat and congratulated Congress leader Kamal Nath for the party’s victory.

“I am free. I have tendered my resignation to the honourable Governor. The responsibility of defeat is totally mine. I have congratulated Kamal Nath ji,” he said.

Samajwadi Party will support Congress in forming the government in Madhya Pradesh, party chief Akhilesh Yadav said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaches Raj Bhawan to tender resignation after he declared that the BJP will not stake claim to form government in the state.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared that the BJP will not stake claim to form government in the state as it did not have the numbers and conceded defeat.

“Shivraj Singh Chouhan: We did not get majority, will not stake claim to form Government, I am going to tender my resignation to the Governor,” he said.

Congress delegation will meet Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel at 12 pm to stake claim to form government.

BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday, 12 Decembers said that her party will formally support Congress in Madhya Pradesh.

“Even though we don't agree with many of Congress's policies we have agreed to support them in Madhya Pradesh and if need be in Rajasthan,” she said.

“Results show that people in states like Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh were totally against the BJP and its anti people policies and as a result chose Congress due to lack of other major alternatives,” she said.

Meeting of BJP leaders is underway at Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence in Bhopal. Senior part leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Rakesh Singh, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and Narendra Singh Tomar are present at the meet.

Kamal Nath in a conversation with CNN-News18 said that he hadn’t received a formal reply from the Governor of MP, Anandiben Patel, about the request of government formation sent to her.

The BJP also said that it will approach the Governor. MP Rakesh Singh said on Twitter that the party officials will meet the governor on Wednesday.

The Congress will have to enlist the support of at least one of the four independents or of the lone Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate elected in Madhya Pradesh to form the next government in the state.

As of 5.30 am on Wednesday, the results for 225 of the 230 seats have been declared. The Congress has won 112 and is leading in three seats. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 113 seats. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has won one seat and leading in one more. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has won one seat and Independent candidates have won four.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has won from his traditional Budhni seat by a margin of 58,999 votes, defeating former Union minister and senior Congress leader Arun Yadav.

Counting for the election, held on November 28, began at 8 am Tuesday.

Congress’ Kamal Nath early on Wednesday, 12 December, said that they have secured the support of Independent candidates and claimed that the party has clear majority in the state.

He was accompanied by senior leaders Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia and Digvijaya Singh at the late night press conference.

“With utmost happiness, I wish to inform you that Congress has won clear majority. We have written a letter to the governor to invite us so that we can prove our majority before her,” Nath said, as per ANI.

The Congress called itself the "single largest party" and said all independents will support it.