Congress replaces Kamal Nath with Jitu Patwari as party's MP unit chief
New Delhi, Dec 16: The Congress replaced Kamal Nath as the party's Madhya Pradesh unit chief on Saturday and appointed Jitu Patwari in his place.
The development comes days after the party's humiliating defeat in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, where the Congress, led by Nath, failed to replace the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
Sources said Nath was asked to tender his resignation soon after the poll results were out.
Nath met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and tendered his resignation thereafter.
"The Congress president has appointed Shri Jitu Patwari as the president of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect," an official communication from the party said.
"The party appreciates the contributions of outgoing PCC president, Shri Kamal Nath," it added.
"The Congress president has also approved the proposal of the appointment of Shri Umang Singhar as the CLP leader and Shri Hemant Katare as the deputy leader of Madhya Pradesh," the statement said.
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Mangaluru cooker bomb case: Main accused gets 10-year jail term
Bengaluru/Mangaluru (PTI): A special NIA court in Bengaluru on Monday sentenced the prime accused in the Mangaluru cooker bomb case to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 94,000.
Mohamed Shariq had initially claimed innocence in the case, but later pleaded guilty under Section 229 of CrPC in December 2025, which the special court accepted.
According to prosecution, Shariq was carrying the pressure cooker IED (improvised explosive device) in an autorickshaw, and allegedly planned to plant it at Mangaluru’s Kadri Manjunatha Temple to spread terror among the Hindu community. The low intensity bomb, however, accidentally exploded on the way on November 19, 2022.
As per the operative portion of the order pronounced in open court, the accused Shariq (Accused No.1) was handed 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.
He was also received two years’ rigorous imprisonment each under Sections 465 (forgery) and 471 (using forged documents), with fines of Rs 2,000 each.
The court further awarded 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each under Sections 121A (waging war conspiracy), 122 (collecting arms with intent to wage war), 307 (attempt to murder) and 326 (causing grievous hurt).
Under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the accused was sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000 each under Sections 16(b), 17, 18, 20, 38, 39 and 40.
Additionally, under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, he was awarded 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment with fines of Rs 5,000 each under Sections 3(a) and 5(a).
The court ordered that all substantive sentences shall run concurrently. In case of default in payment of fines, additional imprisonment ranging from one to six months has been prescribed for different counts.
The court also ordered that the period already undergone in judicial custody be set off against the sentence under Section 428 of the CrPC. The fine amount, once recovered, will be utilised towards defraying prosecution expenses.
Advocates said the court directed that a soft copy of the order be provided to the accused through email and a hard copy be sent by post, as his presence was secured through video conferencing.
A warrant of conviction has been ordered to be issued.
In the same case, the judicial custody of accused no 2 has been extended till May 21, 2026, and jail authorities have been directed to produce the accused through video conferencing on that date.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad welcomed the court verdict and urged the NIA to file an appeal in the court to increase the sentence.
"His intention was to blow up the Kadri temple and kill hundreds of devotees. Considering this, the sentence should have been increased but the sentence has been reduced. We immediately urge the National Investigation Agency to file an appeal with the court to increase the sentence," the VHP said in a statement.
