Commission on Monday issued order against Congress leader (File)
New Delhi:
On Monday, the Election Commission released former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath with a warning for his “story” against a female BJP candidate and advised the congressional leader not to use that language in public during the period of the Model Code of Conduct.
The EC said it was of the view that Kamal Nath, by making the point remark against BJP Minister Imarti Devi, had violated the provisions of the Model Code.
The voting committee issued a notice to Kamal Nath after using intimidation against BJP candidate Imarti Devi during a campaign rally, sparking an angry backlash from the ruling party.
In last week’s polls in the town of Gwalior in Dabra, where the BJP lined up Imarti Devi, Kamal Nath said the congressional candidate was a “simple person” unlike his opponent who was an “object”.
Following a complaint from the state BJP and a referral from the National Commission for Women, the EC notified Kamal Nath of the notification.
The Commission on Monday issued an order against the congressional leader.
“… the Commission hereby advises Kamal Nath, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, that by making public statements, he should not use such word or statement during the period of the code of conduct type, “the ordinance said.
He said Kamal Nath used the word “article” for a woman and that “this constitutes a violation” of the opinion issued by the Commission regarding the model code.
In his response to the opinion, Kamal Nath said that “for him and for his party, respect for the honor and dignity of a woman is paramount”.
He also referred to the Supreme Court rulings which observed that in the heat of the elections, many statements were released on the spur of the moment. “In this case, there was no premeditation or intention to dishonor or to make unworthy a woman or a woman …”, he said.
Meanwhile, the EC also issued a notice to BJP chief Kailash Vijayvargiya on Monday for his report “chunnu-munnuRemark against Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath, asking him to respond within the next 48 hours.
The notice says the statement made to Sanwer, Indore at an October 14 election rally against the two was found to be contrary to the provisions of the Model Code. The opinion is based on the report received from the Chief Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh.
