Kamal Nath gets EC notice for ‘item’ jibe, told to submit reply within 48 hours

New Delhi: Former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath was today served notice by Election Commission for his denigrating BJP candidate Imarti Devi in public by calling her ‘item’.

The Election Commission has asked Congress leader to submit his reply within 48 hours, failing which the commission would decide without ‘further reference’.

Kamal Nath had called Imarti Devi an item and refused to apologise for the offensive remarks despite uproar.

The ECI has examined the speech made by the leader during a campaign rally on October 18 for the November 3 by-election in Dabra, Gawalior and found it in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The Commission said it also received the report from Chief Electoral Office of Madhya Pradesh with authorized transcription.

This comes after a complaint was lodged by BJP against Kamal Nath. The National Commission for Women (NCW) had also sought an explanation from the Congress leader.

The ECI has sought a detailed report from the MP Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

During the Dabra campaign rally in Kamal Nath said that Imarti Devi was an “item” unlike the Congress’ candidate Suresh Raje.