KAMAL NATH POISED FOR KEY ROLE IN CONGRESS

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.

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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.