BJP trying to poach Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh: Kamal Nath 

The newly appointed chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to poach Congress MLAs in the state.

In an exclusive interview to India Today TV, Nath said, "At least, five Congress MLAs have said the BJP leaders approached them. They are trying [to poach Congress MLAs] with all kind of allurements."

"They have been trying it, and we have tested it at the time of speaker and deputy speaker's elections where they were far behind," said the chief minister on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland.

In the past two weeks, Karnataka witnessed a political turmoil where the BJP allegedly attempted to topple the incumbent Congress-JD(S) government.

Bearing a witty look, Kamal Nath said there are BJP MLAs who are seeing no future for themselves in the party. "About 5-6 BJP MLAs are in touch with me constantly. But I don't need them as of now," he said.

Asked how his Davos connect will help Madhya Pradesh, the CM said, "I am here to bring investment to the state. Unemployment of youth is one of the biggest challenges before us. We have a huge aspirational society... I will tell them [investors at Davos] how Madhya Pradesh is geographically located and why logistically it is much better to have MP as a major manufacturing base in India."

Talking about the challenges in the state, he said, "Investment is an article of faith. You cannot demand investment. It has to be attracted. The kind of government we have in the state, the kind of logistic advantage we have and the land area - all are great advantages for an investor."

Talking about the major steps he has taken after being a month in office, Nath said he wrote off farmers' loan, increased the old-age pension from Rs 300 to Rs 600, and raised money for marriages to Rs 51,000.

On the battle for 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Kamal Nath said the voters are willing to be disappointed but they are not willing to be thugged.

"The moment the voters feel they have been thugged, they are not going to vote for that party. All the tall promises made by the Modi government-of jobs, agriculture, 15 lakh in every account - have failed."

Meanwhile, to thwart the Opposition's attack on these fronts, sources say the Modi government is planning to roll out a mega scheme for farmers ahead of the Budget.

Asked if it could be a game changer for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Kamal Nath said, "This is another way to fool the farmers just before elections. The country is fed up with announcements. They want to see them executed. Voters are not going to be fooled again."

On Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the veteran Congress leader said, "He has evolved. He has been in active politics for two years as vice-president and president. There is a phenomenal change... He is not hungry for any post."

Asked if it is a setback for the Congress that it couldn't tie up with the SP and BSP in UP? "No, not at all. The final word has not been said yet," Nath replied.

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister said, "I don't see this as my last World Cup. I have been in Parliament for 38 years. I know the state. I can see the whole spectrum--right from a village to Davos."

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