Politics – Hemant Katare Steps Down as Deputy LoP in MP Assembly
Politics – In a move that has stirred discussion within political circles, Hemant Katare resigned on Friday from his role as Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Senior leaders of the Congress party clarified that his decision was limited to the legislative post and did not signal any departure from the party itself.
Resignation Submitted to Party Leadership
According to party sources, the 40-year-old MLA from Ater constituency in Bhind district left the Assembly premises around 4 pm and formally communicated his resignation to the Congress high command. The letter was addressed to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, state unit chief Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar.
Katare could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts. However, state general secretary Dr. Sanjay Kamle and media department head Mukesh Nayak confirmed that he cited personal reasons for stepping down. They said the legislator indicated that increasing responsibilities in his constituency and family commitments were making it difficult for him to continue in the position.
A senior Congress functionary in Bhopal admitted that the lack of direct communication from Katare had caused concern within the party leadership.
Timing Raises Political Questions
The resignation drew added attention because of its timing. It came just days before senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to visit Bhopal on February 24 as part of a protest against the proposed India–US trade deal.
Local media reports also noted that the resignation coincided with Katare’s wedding anniversary, though party leaders have maintained that his decision was entirely personal.
Speculation intensified amid unconfirmed reports of differences between Katare and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar. However, Singhar dismissed any suggestion of discord.
“He was present in the House earlier in the day, participated in the debate on the Bhagirathpura-Indore deaths issue, and had lunch with us,” Singhar said. “This has come as a surprise to all of us. If there is any concern, it will be addressed internally.”
Denial of Rift and Party Switch Rumours
Responding to questions about a possible switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Singhar firmly ruled out such a development. He pointed to Katare’s political background and long association with the Congress.
Katare is the son of late Satyadev Katare, a former Leader of Opposition and a prominent Congress figure in Madhya Pradesh. Satyadev Katare represented the Ater seat four times between 1985 and 2013 and was widely regarded as a key leader in the region.
Following his father’s death in 2016, Hemant Katare entered electoral politics. He won the 2017 by-election from Ater, defeating BJP leader Arvind Singh Bhadoria, who had been his father’s political rival. Although Katare lost the seat to Bhadoria in the 2018 Assembly elections, he regained it in the 2023 polls.
Political Journey and Party Loyalty
The Katare family has historically maintained close ties with the Scindia political lineage of Gwalior. Yet when Jyotiraditya Scindia and several Congress leaders joined the BJP in March 2020, Hemant Katare chose to remain with the Congress.
After the Congress faced an unexpected setback in the 2023 Assembly elections, Katare was appointed Deputy Leader of Opposition, a role seen as recognition of his loyalty and political standing within the party.
In recent months, he has been vocal in targeting the ruling BJP over alleged corruption issues. He frequently criticized senior BJP figures, including former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s associate Bhupendra Singh.
On the day of his resignation, Katare was actively participating in Assembly proceedings. During a debate concerning deaths allegedly linked to contaminated water in Indore, he confronted senior BJP leaders when the opposition sought an adjournment motion. However, observers noted that he appeared to receive limited backing from fellow Congress MLAs during the exchange.
For now, the Congress leadership maintains that the matter remains internal and that discussions will be held to address the situation. Whether Katare resumes a leadership role in the future or continues solely as an MLA remains to be seen.