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Mumbai: Taking serious note of the off-the-cuff remarks made by former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and candidate Imarti Devi describing her as “Item” and against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the Election Commission of India (ECI) pulled up Kamal Nath for “repeatedly” violating the norms of ethical and dignified behavior laid down in the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and hence on Friday revoked his “Star Campaigner” status. In a statement issued the ECI has stated that henceforth if Kamal Nath still does campaign for the party candidate’s (Congress) the expenses of his travel, stay, visit and other expenses shall be borne by the party candidates.
The ECI had served show-cause notice to Kamal Nath following string of complaints from the BJP MP and National Commission for Women chairperson, Rekha Sharma over the issue of his “Item” comment and comments against CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan. The ECI had also served similar notice to BJP candidate and sitting minister Imarti Devi.
During his campaign rally on October 13, Kamal Nath had while commenting upon CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan had termed him as a “drama artist and that he should go to Mumbai to do acting”. He further went on to add “your God is those Mafia drawing from whom you have created image of Madhya Pradesh, your God is an adulterator.” The ECI stated that even the Election Observers report too confirmed the MCC violations.
The ECI in its statement has “observed with displeasure that Kamal Nath despite being a leader of a political party is repeatedly violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and breaching the ethical and dignified behavior.” The poll body has further directed the poll machinery in Madhya Pradesh of not according Star Campaigner status to Kamal Nath.
By-elections to 28 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh is due to be held on November 3 alongside the second phase of voting for Bihar Assembly.
