Amidst intense speculation about senior leader Kamal Nath getting an important role in the Congress, a section of the media, perhaps at the behest of his detractors within his own party, put out news that the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister was all set to join the BJP. It is not the first time that this kind of rumour concerning Kamal Nath has come into public domain. Even during the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls and its aftermath, there were suggestions in some quarters that the veteran and his son, could move to the Saffron Brigade. This is most unfortunate, since these kind of conjectures, lack credibility and basis. Kamal Nath is a true Congress loyalist and if anyone was to even talk about his going to the BJP, it would be like suggesting that Amit Shah was going to join the Congress.
In fact, most reports regarding Congressmen of this nature are prompted by jealous opponents who feel threatened if any senior leader gets a position of authority or a significant role. The speculation started after Rahul Gandhi had visited Kamal Nath’s house in Delhi some time ago. The meeting between the two was considered significant and it is likely that Kamal Nath, who had won nine times from Chindwara in Madhya Pradesh, would be assigned some specific job in the party. For the sake of record, the veteran leader joined the Congress in 1969. He was a close associate of the late Sanjay Gandhi and had a good rapport with Rajiv Gandhi, his senior in the Doon School. During the 1980 Parliamentary elections, Kamal Nath assisted Sanjay Gandhi in the exercise of distribution of tickets and was his principal aide. Earlier, he was also trusted by Indira Gandhi, who would occasionally use him to deliver messages to political rivals or colleagues.
Even as reports of his going toward BJP were being telecast, he was busy preparing for a mammoth Kavi Sammelan in Chindwara, to be held on the occasion of his 78th birthday next Monday (November 18). Many well-known poets including Kumar Vishwas are expected to attend the Kavi Sammelan. Kamal Nath is known for his man management skills and has often played the part of a mediator to end squabbles amongst party colleagues. During his innings as the general secretary in-charge of Haryana, he had resolved the differences between Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja, persuading them to work together for the party. He has held multiple Cabinet positions and the deft manner in which he reconciled differences between the UPA and its allies as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, is something his colleagues fondly talk about even now.
Kamal Nath is also amongst the Congress politicians who have won more elections than most of his contemporaries and thus is someone who can be trusted with the task of micromanagement. His dislike for arm chair leaders is well known and he never feels shy of pointing out the gaps in their thinking since for him the interests of the Congress are paramount. A remarkable aspect of his personality is that he has been close to all the Gandhis who have trusted him to deliver as and when the time came.
During the long stint of Sonia Gandhi as the party president, Kamal Nath was assigned the task of several States including Delhi and Gujarat, the job which he conducted to the best of his abilities. He is also known to have a good rapport with industrial houses, having served as the Commerce Minister. Although, many in the party believe that he could make an outstanding treasurer, yet they seem to forget that he is a man of all seasons and could also be a very efficient and competent political secretary to the party High Command. There has been speculation that soon after the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections get over, the Congress could have a major re-shuffle where people handpicked by the leadership could be given certain responsibilities. There has been a search for an efficient Media Head as well, and several names including those of Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid and Deepender Hooda are doing the rounds. Kamal Nath has a very soft corner for Chindwara, which has elected him nine times and his wife and son, once each. He is currently an MLA from there. His commitment to his constituency and the state is so complete that for the past several years, he had moved his operational residence and office to Bhopal to be closer to the people of Madhya Pradesh.
All this may change a bit if the party requires him in New Delhi for doing much bigger things. The High Command is conscious of the fact that there is no one who is there to advise the leadership on the micro and macro aspects of political developments and the fall out of so many decisions that get taken. Kamal Nath is considered to be a person who without mincing words, brings out the reality and presents the true picture to the High command. This is why, his services could be needed. Majority of the current party office bearers have proved to be more of liabilities rather than being assets. The top-heavy party structure has leaders of no value or consequence who have done little or nothing to strengthen the organization. The reports regarding Kamal Nath switching over to the BJP are fueled by insecure and rootless Congress functionaries. There can be no mistake that Kamal Nath stands tall amongst leaders of his generation and there are not many who can measure up to his achievements and contribution towards the party.