In a major blow to the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh, Chhindwara Municipal Corporation Mayor Vikram Ahake defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, further weakening the stronghold of veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath.
Ahake, previously considered one of Nath's closest allies, made the switch to the BJP, a move that points towards the shifting political dynamics in the region. His departure marks a setback for the Congress, which had touted Ahake as a symbol of their support for young tribal leadership.
Ahake, a prominent tribal leader, rose to prominence after being elected as Chhindwara Mayor in 2022, with the Congress projecting him as a key figure in their ranks.
However, on Monday, he officially joined the BJP during a ceremony at the party's headquarters in Bhopal, where he was welcomed by Madhya Pradesh BJP President V.D. Sharma, alongside other former Congress members.
This defection follows another blow to Nath's camp, as Congress MLA Kamlesh Shah (Amarwara) shifted allegiance to the BJP just a day prior. Despite the Congress securing victories in all eight Assembly seats of Chhindwara in 2023, Nath's grip on the region appears to be slipping.
Former MLA Deepak Saxena, who previously vacated the Chhindwara Assembly seat for Kamal Nath in 2019, has distanced himself from the Nath family, sparking speculation about his future political affiliations. Although Saxena has not yet joined the BJP, his recent closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav suggests potential political realignments.
Meanwhile, Kamal Nath, amidst efforts to secure victory for his son, continues to make emotional appeals to Chhindwara voters. Having won nine Lok Sabha elections from Chhindwara and served as MLA twice, Nath's political stature in the region remains significant despite recent setbacks.
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