Former deputy collector joins Congress, but will not contest Assembly polls: Kamal Nath

Nisha Bangre joins Congress in MP, won't contest polls but serve State and party in other capacities, says Kamal Nath. She was denied permission to attend Buddhist event and all-religion prayer for her home inauguration

Former deputy collector Nisha Bangre, who joined the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday will not contest the upcoming Assembly election but will serve the State and the party in other capacities, State Congress president Kamal Nath said.

He was speaking at a public rally in his home turf Chhindwara, where he also inducted Ms. Bangre into the party ranks. “You will become an example. No problem that you are not contesting the polls, but I need your services in M.P.,” he said.

Ms. Bangre had quit her deputy collector position in June after the administration denied her permission to attend a Buddhist event and an all-religion prayer for the inauguration of her home in Amla. Her resignation was only accepted by the Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday after a four-month long struggle. Having quit government service, she sought to enter politics and contest the polls from Amla in Betul district.

The Congress, which had earlier held the seat for her, announced its candidate for Amla late on Monday, the deadline set by the Madhya Pradesh High Court for the government to decide on Ms. Bangre’s resignation. On Tuesday, however, the Congress changed its candidates for four other seats in the State.

Ms. Bangre accused the BJP government of “conspiring against her” by issuing the order accepting her resignation only after the Congress declared its candidate. She, however, continues to be hopeful that the party will consider changing its candidate from Amla. “I have been told that the Congress’ central leadership will review the matter. I am going to Amla now and will be ready to file the nomination in case the party gives me a signal,” she told The Hindu in a phone conversation.

A source in the State Congress said that Ms. Bangre had not fared well in the party’s internal surveys and that has now been conveyed to her. “She has become a prominent face representing women and Dalits in the State now. So it’s better for her to start working for the party on the ground instead of contesting an election right away,” the source said.

Another senior leader, however, said, “Since, she was not a party member until now, I don’t think her name was part of any survey. We wanted to field her but the BJP government delayed clearance to her resignation on purpose.” He added, “Now, it’s not right to replace Manoj Malve [Congress candidate from Amla] out of the blue. She will get better opportunities after the elections.”