Kamal Nath Moves to SC against EC decision Over Removal of His ‘Star Campaigner’ Status
Poll panel cancelled his status of ‘star campaigner’ on Friday over poll code violations of "ethical and dignified behaviour" after Nath had called the BJP candidate an 'item'.
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh:
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath has moved the Supreme Court against Election Commission’s order to revoke the Congress leader’s “star campaigner” status for violations of the model code during campaign for the bypolls in 28 assembly constituencies in the state.
Senior lawyer and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha told PTI that the former chief minister has challenged the EC’s decision on various grounds and an urgent hearing on his plea would be sought.
Tankha informs that, the plea has been filed through advocate-on-record Varun Chopra and the defects pointed out in it by the apex court registry have been cured.
The poll panel on Friday taking note of alleged breach of “ethical and dignified behaviour” and revoked the “star campaigner” status of the Congress leader after he had called the BJP candidate an ‘item’ .
In the order, the poll panel stated, “…for repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct and for completely disregarding the advisory issued to him, the Commission hereby revokes the status of leader of political party (Star Campaigner) of Kamal Nath, Ex-Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect for the current By-elections of Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh.”
“However, if any campaign is done by Kamal Nath from now onwards, the entire expenditure related to travel, stay and visit will be completely borne by the candidate in whose constituency he carries out campaigning,” it said.
It stated no permission will be granted by authorities to Nath as a star campaigner.
The EC said it carefully considered the matter and observed with “displeasure that Kamal Nath, despite being a leader of a political party, is repeatedly violating the provisions of Model Code of Conduct and breaching the ethical and dignified behaviour”.
The commission touched to his remarks against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Kamal Nath called a political rival “mafia” and “milawat khor” in a recent campaigning event. Last week, the EC had asked Nath not to use words like “item” in campaigning which he used as a jibe to hit out at state minister and BJP candidate Imarti Devi in a rally.
The commission had announced the poll schedule on September 29 and the MCC came into immediate effect. Campaigning for the by-polls ends on November 1.