Kamal Nath is no stranger to controversies. And the Congress veteran appears to have waded into another, right after taking over as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. His tearing hurry to wipe off anything remotely resembling saffron—the political colours of the state during the 15-year reign of the BJP—is being seen by many as unwarranted and counter-productive and perceived as political vendetta. Not the least, his decision to stop the mass singing of Vande Mataram outside the state secretariat here. Nath assumed office on December 17, one of the three new Congress chief ministers, including Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan and Bhupesh Baghel in Chhattisgarh.