Nakul Nath, the incumbent Congress Member of Parliament from Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara constituency, has submitted his nomination papers for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on April 19, joining a cohort of 113 candidates vying for seats in the central state. Renominated by his party, Nath has disclosed assets amounting to nearly Rs 700 crore in his election affidavit, marking an increase of Rs 40 crore over the past five years.
According to the details provided in his affidavit, Nakul Nath's assets comprise movable assets such as cash, shares, and bonds valued at Rs 649.51 crore, along with immovable assets worth Rs 48.07 crore. Notably, Nath's political journey has been intertwined with his familial legacy, being the son of former Chief Minister and influential Congress leader Kamal Nath. In 2019, Nakul Nath emerged as the lone Congress victor in Madhya Pradesh, securing the Chhindwara seat, which is considered his father's stronghold.
The wealth amassed by the Nath family has drawn attention, with Nakul Nath's assets being ranked among the highest in the Lok Sabha. Kamal Nath, who has also been successful in electoral contests from Chhindwara, declared assets worth Rs 134 crore in his poll affidavit ahead of the state's assembly elections last year.
In the ongoing electoral battle, the BJP has endeavored to challenge the Nath family's political stronghold, highlighting Kamal Nath's utilization of helicopters as a narrative to contrast wealth with the common populace. BJP candidate Vivek Sahu, pitted against Nakul Nath, has criticized the former Chief Minister's use of helicopters, underscoring the existence of two helipads at Kamal Nath's residence in Chhindwara's Shikrapur area.
The discourse surrounding the Naths' affluence has become a focal point in the electoral arena, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasizing the state's commitment to providing air ambulance services for medical emergencies, juxtaposing it against the perceived extravagance of political elites. Amidst these narratives, the BJP seeks to challenge the longstanding dominance of the Congress in Chhindwara, a constituency it has held for the majority of the post-independence period, save for one instance.
