Kamal Nath

2021-12-30T08:38:53Z

2402:8100:391F:2F94:C82A:7CCE:F9C3:507:

{{short description|18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, India. Madhya Pradesh Congress}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kamal Nath
| native_name =
| image = Kamal Nath 2012.jpg
| caption = Kamal Nath in 2020
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|11|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Kanpur]], [[United Provinces (1937–50)|United Provinces]], [[British India]] <br/>(now in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])
| residence = [[Bhopal]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| order = 18th
| office = Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
| term_start = 17 December 2018
| term_end = 23 March 2020
| governor = [[ Lalji Tandon]]
| predecessor = [[Shivraj Singh Chouhan]]
| successor = [[Shivraj Singh Chouhan]]
| office1 = [[Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Leader of Opposition, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start1 = 17 July 2020
| preceded1 = [[Gopal Bhargava]]
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start2 = 10 March 1998
| term_end2 = 17 December 2018
| predecessor2 = [[Sundar Lal Patwa]]
| successor2 = [[Nakul Nath]]
| constituency2 = [[Chhindwara (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chhindwara]]
| term_start3 = 18 January 1980
| term_end3 = 15 May 1996
| predecessor3 = [[Gargi Shankar Mishra]]
| successor3 = [[Alka Nath]]
| constituency3 = [[Chhindwara (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chhindwara]]
| office4 = [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of Commerce and Industry]]
| constituency4 =
| term_start4 = 24 May 2004
| term_end4 = 22 May 2009
| primeminister4 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| predecessor4 = [[Syed Shahnawaz Hussain]]
| successor4 = [[Anand Sharma]]
| office5 = [[Ministry of Textiles|Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Textiles]]
| term_start5 = 16 September 1995
| term_end5 = 16 May 1996
| primeminister5 = [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]
| predecessor5 = [[G. Venkat Swamy]]
| successor5 = [[G. Venkat Swamy]]
| office6 = [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change|Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests]]
| term_start6 = 26 June 1991
| term_end6 = 16 September 1995
| primeminister6 = [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]
| predecessor6 =
| successor6 =
| office7 = [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Minister of Road Transport and Highways]]
| term_start7 = 22 May 2009
| term_end7 = 19 January 2011
| primeminister7 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| predecessor7 = [[T.R. Baalu]]
| successor7 = [[C. P. Joshi]]
| office8 = [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs|Minister of Urban Development]]
| term_start8 = 19 January 2011
| term_end8 = 28 October 2012
| primeminister8 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| predecessor8 =
| successor8 = [[Girija Vyas]]
| office9 = [[Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (India)|Minister of Parliamentary Affairs]]
| term_start9 = 28 October 2012
| term_end9 = 26 May 2014
| primeminister9 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| predecessor9 =
| successor9 = [[Venkaiah Naidu]]

| office10 = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of [[Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency10 = [[Chhindwara (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Chhindwara]]
| termstart10 = {{Start date|2019||}}
| termend10 =
| predecessor10 = Deepak Saxena

| alma_mater = [[University of Calcutta]] ([[B.Com]])
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
| spouse = [[Alka Nath]]
| children = 2, including [[Nakul Nath]]
| website =
| source = https://web.archive.org/web/20080417001956/http://164.100.24.209/newls/Biography.aspx?mpsno=175
| signature = Signature of Kamal Nath.svg
}}
'''Kamal Nath''' (born 18 November 1946) is an Indian politician who served as the [[List of chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh|18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh]] for approximately 15 months and resigned after a [[2020 Madhya Pradesh political crisis|political crisis]]. He is the Leader of the Opposition in the [[Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] since March 2020.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-results-2018-sonia-gandhi-meets-rahul-gandhi-amid-tense-race-for-2-chief-ministers-1962184 | title=Kamal Nath Wins Madhya Pradesh Top Job; Jyotiraditya Scindia On Board | first1=Sunetra | last1=Choudhury | first2=Sunil | last2=Prabhu | date=14 December 2018 | publisher=NDTV | access-date=8 February 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/madhya-pradesh-govt-crisis-floor-test-kamal-nath-congress-bjp-1657768-2020-03-20|publisher =India Today |date=20 March 2020|title=MP govt crisis: Kamal Nath announces resignation, Congress falls and BJP rejoices|first1=Mukesh |last1= Rawat}}</ref>

As a leader of the [[Indian National Congress]] he has served as the [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs|Minister of Urban Development]]. He is one of the longest serving and most senior members of the [[Lok Sabha]], the [[lower house]] of India's [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] [[Parliament of India|Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kamal-nath-appointed-protem-speaker/article6070045.ece|title=Kamal Nath appointed pro-tem Speaker|work=The hindu}}</ref> He was appointed the [[Pro tempore|Pro Tem]] [[Speaker of the Lok Sabha|Speaker]] of the [[16th Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pcc-chief-kamal-nath-obvious-congress-face-for-mp-election-battle/articleshow/63933375.cms | title=PCC chief Kamal Nath obvious Congress face for MP election battle | publisher=[[The Economic Times]] | work=CL Manoj | date=27 April 2018 | access-date=27 April 2018| last1=Manoj | first1=C. L. }}</ref> He has been elected nine times from the [[Chhindwara (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/to-his-voters-kamal-nath-has-become-chhindwara/|title=To his voters, Kamal Nath has become Chhindwara|work=Indian Express}}</ref><ref name=Sketch>[http://164.100.24.209/newls/Biography.aspx?mpsno=175 Profile at Parliament of India website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417001956/http://164.100.24.209/newls/Biography.aspx?mpsno=175 |date=17 April 2008 }}</ref> Nath was elected president of the [[Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee]] in May 2018, leading the party in the November–December [[2018 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2018 assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.inc.in/en/pcc-presidents?page=2|title=Congress Party PCC Presidents - Indian National Congress|work=Indian National Congress|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> He assumed the office of Chief Minister on 17 December 2018 and resigned on 20 March 2020 due to lack of majority in government.

==Early life==
Kamal was born in [[Kanpur]] in a business family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/kamal-nath-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-5492562/|title=Kamal Nath: The man behind Congress' 'kamaal' performance in Madhya Pradesh|date=14 December 2018|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref> His father Mahendra Nath established firms involved with exhibition and distribution of films, publishing, trading power transmission.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shri Mahendra Nath - Founder Chairman|url=https://www.imt.edu/founder-chairman/ |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=imt.edu}}</ref> He is an [[alumnus]] of [[The Doon School]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://commerce.nic.in/CIM-BIO.htm
|title=Profile of Shri Kamal Nath, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India |publisher=Department of Commerce, Government of India |access-date=30 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410030511/http://commerce.nic.in/CIM-BIO.htm |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref> and earned a [[Bachelor of Commerce]] from [[St. Xavier's College, Calcutta|St. Xavier's College]] of the [[University of Calcutta]].

==Career==
===Political career===
[[File: Shri Kamal Nath assumes the charge of the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on May 24, 2004.jpg|thumb|Kamal Nath assumes the charge of the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on 24 May 2004]]

Nath was first elected to the [[7th Lok Sabha]] in 1980.<ref>[http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok12/biodata/12mp27.htm "Biographical Sketch Member of Parliament XII Lok Sabha"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233645/http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok12/biodata/12mp27.htm |date=3 March 2016 }}, accessed 12 August 2011.</ref> He was re-elected to the [[8th Lok Sabha]] in 1984, the [[9th Lok Sabha]] in 1989, and the [[10th Lok Sabha]] in 1991.
He was inducted into the [[Union Council of Ministers]] as [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change|Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment and Forests]] in June 1991.<ref>[http://dipp.nic.in/improfile/profile_cim.htm "MR. KAMAL NATH Commerce & Industry Minister Government of India"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930214926/http://dipp.nic.in/improfile/profile_cim.htm |date=30 September 2011 }}, accessed 12 August 2011.</ref> From 1995 to 1996 he served as [[Ministry of Textiles (India)|Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Textiles]].<ref>[http://www.whereincity.com/india/lok-sabha/members/kamal-nath.htm " Fifteenth Lok Sabha Member"],"WhereInCity India Information", accessed 12 August 2011.</ref>

Nath was elected to the [[12th Lok Sabha]] in 1998 and the [[13th Lok Sabha]] in 1999. From 2001 to 2004, he was the General Secretary of the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC).<ref>[http://chieflymusing.com/kamal-nath-minister-of-urban-development "Kamal Nath Minister of Urban Development"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823015357/http://chieflymusing.com/kamal-nath-minister-of-urban-development |date=23 August 2011 }},"Chiefly Musing", accessed 12 August 2011.</ref> He was re-elected to the [[14th Lok Sabha]] in the [[2004 Indian general election|2004 elections]] and served as [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Union Cabinet Minister of Commerce and Industry]] from 2004 to 2009.

On 16 May 2009 he again won the elections from his constituency for the [[15th Lok Sabha]] and re-entered the Cabinet, this time as [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways]].<ref name=Sketch/> In 2011, as a result of a cabinet reshuffle, Nath replaced [[Jaipal Reddy]] to take on the role of [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs|Minister of Urban Development]].<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cabinet-reshuffle-jaipal-gets-petroleum-kamal-nath-loses-roads-80331 "Cabinet reshuffle: Jaipal gets Petroleum; Kamal Nath moved to Urban Development"], "NDTV", accessed 10 February 2012.</ref>

In October 2012 Nath was confirmed to the [[Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (India)|Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs]] in addition to his current role as Minister of Urban Development.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130103140254/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-28/india/34779487_1_agatha-sangma-ajay-maken-law-minister "Cabinet reshuffle: Upgrade for Salman, Rahul boys likely"], "The Times of India", accessed 27 November 2012.</ref>

In late 2012 Nath replaced [[Pranab Mukherjee]] to help the [[United Progressive Alliance]] (UPA) government win a crucial debate on [[foreign direct investment in India]] (FDI).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kamal-nath-the-touble-shooter-for-congress-after-pranab-mukherjee/1/237784.html|title=UPA government has finally found a troubleshooter in Kamal Nath to replace Pranab Mukherjee|last=Saghal|first=Priya|publisher=India Today}}</ref> Nath also replaced [[Ministry of Rural Development (India)|Minister of Rural Development]] Jairam Ramesh as an [[Ex officio member|''ex officio'' member]] of the [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] in December 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nath replaces Ramesh as ex-officio member of Planning Commission - Politics News , Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/nath-replaces-jairam-ramesh-as-ex-officio-member-of-planning-commission-569904.html |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=Firstpost |date=26 December 2012}}</ref>

From 4 to 5 June 2014 Kamal Nath was the only member to have taken the official oath as a member of the newly elected 16th Lok Sabha, and was made the Pro Tem Speaker. The first day of the Lok Sabha, on which the Pro Tem Speaker normally administers the oath to all other elected members, was interrupted by the death of Union Cabinet Minister of Rural Development [[Gopinath Munde]]. The House was adjourned after paying tribute to Munde and observing a two-minute silence. Since no other elected member had taken the oath that day, they were not officially members of parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lok-sabha-pro-tem-speaker-kamal-nath-parliament-195667-2014-06-04|title=Kamal Nath sworn in as the pro tem speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha|website= India Today|access-date=4 October 2019}}</ref>

On [[2018 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|13 December 2018]], Kamal Nath was elected as the [[Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh]] after the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] emerged as the single largest party with 114 seats.

===Political associations===
Kamal Nath is a member of the INC (Indian National Congress) political party and served as general secretary from 2001 to 2004.<ref>[http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=175 "Detailed Profile: Shri Kamal Nath"],"India.gov.in", accessed 10 February 2012.</ref>

Nath has close ties with the [[Nehru–Gandhi family]], being young friends and schoolmates with Sanjay at the [[Doon School]], an independent boarding school located in [[Dehradun]].<ref>
[http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Views/Kamal-Nath-the-Gandhi-buddy/Article1-479142.aspx "Kamal Nath, the Gandhi buddy"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105200948/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/views/Kamal-Nath-the-Gandhi-buddy/Article1-479142.aspx |date=5 January 2010 }}"Hindustan Times", accessed 10 February 2012.</ref>

===Business career===
Kamal Nath serves as president of the board of governors for The Institute of Management Technology [[Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Dubai campus|(IMT)]] a management institution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imthyderabad.edu.in/|title=business school in India | PGDM EPGDM |IMT Hyderabad|website=www.imthyderabad.edu.in|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

He is Chairman of "Madhya Pradesh Child Development Council" and Patron to the Bharat Yuvak Samaj (Youth Wing of All India Bharat Seva Samaj).<ref>http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in [http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MP27.htm "Biographical Sketch Member of Parliament 13th Lok Sabha"], accessed 12 August 2011.</ref>

== Political views ==

===Economic development===
Nath is a strong proponent of economic development in India. At the [[World Economic Forum]] (WEF) Davos, Switzerland in 2011 Nath shared his views on improving market access for developing countries in the area of agriculture stating India's applied tariffs for exports in developed countries was very low. Nath claims that this is due to continued imports through schemes like EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme) where tariffs are not levied.<ref>
"India Everywhere" [http://www.indiaeverywhere.com/pdf/pressrelease4.pdf "Rural Infrastructure, Employment, FDI key to 8% growth 'Dream Team' addresses foreign investors"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018180927/http://www.indiaeverywhere.com/pdf/pressrelease4.pdf |date=18 October 2006 }}, 28 January 2006, accessed 9 September 2011.</ref>

===Competing in the world market===
Nath disagrees with the Trade [[Protectionism|protectionist]] outlook displayed among struggling countries and considers it to be the wrong response to a financial crisis.<ref>"Agence France Presse (AFP)" [http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Middle-East/Feb/02/Davos-participants-warn-protectionism-could-stifle-economic-recovery.ashx#axzz1QRM0mSdM "Davos participants warn protectionism could stifle economic recovery"], "The Daily Star" 2 February 2009, accessed 9 September 2011.</ref> He has pushed for stronger international co-operation in India, such as expanding on Indo-German relations. Nath stated for a mutually beneficial relationship with Germany to exist it must rely on using both countries' manufacturing strengths. He outlined focus areas of production including telecom, engineering, environmental technology, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food processing, and renewable energy.<ref>"Alibaba.com" [http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/international-trade-special/100376871-1-kamal-nath-big-push-economic.html "Kamal Nath For Big Push To Economic Dimension of Indo-German Relations.."], "Alibaba.com" 10 August 2010, accessed 9 September 2011</ref> Kamal Nath describes India's entrepreneurial spirit and the countries' potential for global commerce growth in his book ''India's Century''.<ref>"Indialink Online: Kamal Nath" [http://www.indialink-online.com/index.php?id=640&PHPSESSID=7e821d0ae7c320bf0893c862b64f6864 "Kamal Nath – 'India's Century' Launched in London"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630213136/http://www.indialink-online.com/index.php?id=640&PHPSESSID=7e821d0ae7c320bf0893c862b64f6864 |date=30 June 2017 }}, "India Link International" accessed 9 September 2011.</ref>

===Kamal Nath on infrastructure development===

Nath emphasises the need for infrastructure development in India with projects like the [[Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project|Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor]], a 90 billion dollars industrial development project. The DMIC proposes major expansion of infrastructure and industry and aims to develop an industrial zone across six states in India.<ref>"TopNews.in" [http://www.topnews.in/kamal-naths-says-infrastructure-development-critical-inclusive-growth-216491 "Kamal Nath says, infrastructure development critical for inclusive growth"], "TopNews.in" 23 January 2008, accessed 9 September 2011.</ref> Within the first five years of the project expectations are set at doubling employment potential, tripling industrial output, and quadrupling exports from the region.<ref>"Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion Ministry of Commerce & Industry"[http://dipp.nic.in/dmic/dmic_index.htm "Delhi – Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831141220/http://dipp.nic.in/dmic/dmic_index.htm |date=31 August 2011 }}, "Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion Ministry of Commerce & Industry" accessed 9 September 2011.</ref>

===Public–private partnership (PPP)===

Kamal Nath advocates a [[Public–private partnership|PPP]] model on completing such ambitious projects like the DMIC and other infrastructure development projects. He references success with PPP models implemented in India's Metro operations.<ref>"Zeenews.india.com"[http://zeenews.india.com/news/state-news/kamal-nath-advocates-ppp-model-for-infrastructure-development_688977.html "Kamal Nath advocates PPP model for infrastructure development"], "Zeenews.india.com" 21 February 2011, accessed 9 September 2011.</ref>

== Controversies ==
=== Rice export accusations ===
In 2007, during Kamal Nath's tenure as Commerce minister, an Empowered Group of Ministers that included Nath, [[Pranab Mukherjee]], and [[Sharad Pawar]] helped lift a ban on the export of non-basmati rice. It was alleged that PSUs involved in export of this rice to Africa outsourced the efforts to domestic private companies. It is claimed that the private companies made large profits while the PSUs reported small margins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20101227-rice-boils-over-745212-2010-12-18|title=Ministers at War: Rice boils over|first=Priya |last=Sahgal|website=India Today}}</ref>

He was charge sheeted in the [[Hawala scandal]] and denied a ticket by the Congress itself in 1996, wherein he made his wife [[Alka Nath]] stand for elections from the [[Chhindwara (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>[[Chhindwara (Lok Sabha constituency)]]1996, [[Alka Nath]][https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19960515-elections-1996-kamal-nath-ties-his-prestige-to-his-wifes-fortunes-833179-1996-05-15] [[India Today]]</ref>

===1984 Anti Sikh Riots===
On 1 November 1984, a day after Indira Gandhi's assassination, anti Sikh Massacre broke out in Delhi as a result of which 3000 Sikhs were murdered by mobs. [[Nanavati commission]] led by a retired Judge of the [[Supreme Court of India]] investigated the riots some 25 years after it happened but were unable to find surviving evidence. The commission found that the allegations of his involvement lacked sufficient evidence as of 2008–09.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitta |first1=Manoj |last2=Phoolka |first2=H. S. |title=The Case Against Kamal Nath |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/the-case-against-kamal-nath/265003 |access-date=13 October 2019 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=8 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goyal |first1=Divya |title=1984 anti-Sikh riots: Enough evidence against Kamal Nath, can't evade law now, says HS Phoolka |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/1984-anti-sikh-riots-enough-evidence-against-kamal-nath-cant-evade-law-now-says-hs-phoolka-5023645/ |access-date=13 October 2019 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=14 January 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Nath was not charged and he later stated that he was "fully absolved" by the Nanavati Commission.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nanavati-commission-has-absolved-me-in-1984-riots-kamal-nath/story-DBkeNZLSmIRRmlHkPCowZJ.html |title=Nanavati Commission has 'absolved me' in 1984 riots: Kamal Nath |date=13 June 2016 |access-date=13 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

===2019 Income Tax Raid===
The [[Income Tax Department]], an Indian government agency, conducted inspections at the properties of relatives and aides of [[List of chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh|CM]] Kamal Nath in April 2019. The agency claimed detecting about {{INR|281 crore}} in unaccounted cash, including {{INR|20 crore}} paid to the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] headquarters in Delhi through [[hawala]]. [[Kailash Vijayvargiya]] tweeted about the estimation of the detected illegal cash before the [[Central Board of Direct Taxes]]' statement on the raids, Kamal Nath's media coordinator Narender Saluja in turn said the raids were orchestrated to malign his party.<ref>{{cite news |title=I-T claims Rs 281-crore racket after Kamal Nath kin raids, BJP has advance estimate |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/i-t-claims-rs-281-crore-racket-after-kamal-nath-kin-raids-bjp-has-advance-estimate-5665880/ |work=The Indian Express |date=9 April 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=I-T Sleuths Quiz Kamal Nath's Aide, Wife for 7 Hours Even as Cong-BJP Slug it Out Over CRPF-Cops Tussle |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/i-t-sleuths-quiz-kamal-naths-former-osd-and-wife-seven-hours-even-as-congress-bjp-slug-it-out-over-crpf-cops-tussle-2093371.html |work=News18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=I-T raids continue on day 3 to unearth Rs 281 crore racket of unaccounted cash, pressure mounts on Kamal Nath |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/i-t-raids-continue-on-day-3-to-unearth-rs-281-crore-racket-of-unaccounted-cash-pressure-mounts-on-kamal-nath-2193838.html |work=Zee News |date=9 April 2019 |language=en |access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref>

===Misogynistic comments===
While addressing a rally during the [[2020 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly by-elections|2020 Madhya Pradesh By-Election]], Nath referred to MP cabinet minister [[Imarti Devi]] as '[[Item number|Item]]' (colloquially considered as a sexually provocative word/[[Sexual objectification#Sexual objectification of women|objectification of women]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mehta |first1=Kriti |title=Kamal Nath refers to BJP leader Imarti Devi as 'item', BJP files complaint with Election Commission for remark |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/kamal-nath-refers-to-bjp-leader-imarti-devi-as-item-invites-ire-over-sexist-comment/669133 |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=Times Now |date=18 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> His comments were heavily criticised by several leaders and activists.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/kamal-nath-calls-imarti-devi-item-bjp-shivraj-singh-chouhan-hits-back-for-sexist-comment-657951|title= Former MP CM Kamal Nath calls Imarti Devi 'item'; BJP hits back 'feudal' mindset|date=18 October 2020|work=IndiaTV News|access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref> The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and the [[National Commission for Women]] approached to the [[Election Commission of India]] to complain about the derogatory remarks against the [[Scheduled Caste]] candidate and demanded to ban him from campaigning during the by-polls.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-kamal-nath-terms-minister-imarti-devi-an-item-bjp-fumes/articleshow/78734258.cms|title= Kamal Nath terms minister Imarti Devi an 'item', BJP fumes|work=The Times Of India|access-date=19 October 2020|last=Sharma|first=Rajendra|date=18 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MP Bypoll: Chouhan to Hold 'Silent Protest' Against Kamal Nath's 'Item' Remark on Imarti Devi |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/mp-bypolls-bjp-decries-naths-item-jibe-for-woman-candidate-2978873.html |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=News18 |date=18 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

On 30 October 2020, the [[Election Commission of India]] revoked the star campaigner status of Kamal Nath citing repeated violation of [[Election Commission of India's Model Code of Conduct|Model Code of Conduct]] while campaigning for the elections.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/madhya-pradesh-bypolls-ec-revokes-star-campaigner-status-of-kamal-nath/articleshow/78952943.cms|title= EC revokes Kamal Nath's star campaigner status|date=30 October 2020|work=The Times Of India|access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Kamal Nath was born in 1946 In Kanpur to Mahendra Nath and Lila Nath. He has two sister, Anita Puri and Rita Jolly.<ref>{{cite news |last1=IANS |title=Commerce Minister Kamal Nath's mother passes away |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/commerce-minister-kamal-nath-s-mother-passes-away/story-4PhXyIXVSfT6WemOKVUTeO.html |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=21 February 2008 |language=en}}</ref> He married [[Alka Nath]] on 27 January 1973 and has two sons, [[Nakul Nath]] and Bakul Nath.<ref name="Lok Sabha">{{cite web|title=Biographical Sketch Member of Parliament 11th Lok Sabha|url=http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/biodata_1_12/3734.htm|access-date=16 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309100731/http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/biodata_1_12/3734.htm|archive-date=9 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="Augusta">{{cite news |title=AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam: ED indicts Kamal Nath’s sons and nephew Ratul Puri |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-scam-ed-indicts-kamal-nath-s-sons-and-nephew-ratul-puri/683004 |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=Times Now |date=17 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The family has owned several successful businesses including real estate, aviation, plantations and hospitality.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malik |first1=Aman |title=The business interests of Kamal Nath |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/R3i9jn7WuzW6ydWUZBgPyM/The-business-interests-of-Kamal-Nath.html |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=Mint |date=14 April 2014 |language=en}}</ref> Alka Nath and Nakul Nath have both been elected to India's parliament.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Suchandana |title=Lok Sabha elections: Alka Nath to lead campaign for son |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/alka-nath-to-lead-campaign-for-son/articleshow/68433692.cms |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=16 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Nakul Nath wins Chhindwara LS seat; BJP bags Dhar, Vidisha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nakul-nath-wins-chhindwara-ls-seat-bjp-bags-dhar-vidisha/articleshow/69468147.cms |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=23 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
* In 2006 Kamal Nath received an Honorary Doctorate from Jabalpur's Rani Durgavati University for his contributions to the public sector.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/style/26iht-Luxury08-Nath.18176851.html "Kamal Nath, Indian minister for commerce and industry"], ''The New York Times'', 26 October 2008, accessed 12 August 2011.</ref>
* Kamal Nath was named the ''FDI Personality of the Year 2007'' by the FDI magazine and [[the Financial Times]] Business for his "Active efforts to attract foreign businesses to India, boost exports, and promote trade and investment".<ref>[http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/other/200708144092.htm "fDi Personality of the Year 2007 awards event at New Delhi 31st August 2007."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410021842/http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/other/200708144092.htm |date=10 April 2008 }}, Indiaprwire.com, 25 August 2007.</ref>
* In 2008 he was honoured with the title "Business Reformer of the year" by [[The Economic Times]].<ref>[http://etawards.economictimes.com/articleshowpics/4915724.cms "Business Reformer of the year 2008"], ''The Economic Times Awards'', accessed 12 August 2011.</ref>
* In November 2012, he received the "ABLF Statesman Award" at the Asian Business Leadership Forum Awards 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kamal Nath, Anand Mahindra honoured with Asian business awards|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kamal-nath-anand-mahindra-honoured-with-asian-business-awards/1037401/|access-date=2 April 2013|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=28 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Winners of the Asian Business Leadership Forum Awards 2012|url=http://www.ablfawards.com/winners/|publisher=Asian Business Leadership Forum Awards|access-date=2 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701231021/http://www.ablfawards.com/winners/|archive-date=1 July 2013}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[M. C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath]]
* [[Nirbhay Pal Sharma]], brother-in-law
* [[Hawala scandal]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}

*[http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=175&lastls=16 Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]
*[https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anti-sikh-riots-eyewitness-testimonies-named-kamal-nath-nanavati-panel-said-not-possible-to-indict-him-5498262/ Anti-Sikh riots: Eyewitness testimonies named Kamal Nath, Nanavati panel said not possible to indict him], Indian Express, 18 December 2018

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{{Current Indian chief ministers}}
{{Second Manmohan Singh Cabinet}}
{{Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (India)}}
{{16th LS members from Madhya Pradesh}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nath, Kamal}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]
[[Category:People from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:The Doon School alumni]]
[[Category:14th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:People from Chhindwara]]
[[Category:St. Xavier's College, Kolkata alumni]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]
[[Category:7th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:8th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:9th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:10th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:12th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:13th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:15th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Pro tem Speakers of the Lok Sabha]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Commerce and Industry Ministers of India]]

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Kamal Nath