Kamal Nath Moves SC Challenging Election Commission Order That Revoked His 'Star Campaigner' Status

The development comes after Election Commission revoked senior Congress leader's status as a star campaigner for the by-polls happening in the state.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Congress leader Kamal Nath moved the Supreme Court on Saturday to challenge the order of the Election Commission revoking his star campaigner status. The development comes after Election Commission revoked senior Congress leader's status as a star campaigner for the by-polls happening in the state. The order was given by the election watchdog in the state after multiple violations of Model Code of Conduct by the former CM. As per the media reports, the senior Congress leader has challenged the EC’s decision on various grounds and an urgent hearing on the plea would be sought, said lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha. Voting for by-polls to 28 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh will take place on November 3 and the results will be declared on November 10. During campaigning, Kamal Nath used the term “item” against a woman minister. Later, he explained his comments saying he meant agenda. “I was in Lok Sabha for so many years. There it is mentioned in the agenda sheet, item number 1, item number 2... That was on my mind. I did not say it to disrespect anyone,” he said. “Yet, I had said that if someone feels insulted, then I express regret,” Kamal Nath said. The poll panel on Friday took note of the comments and alleged breach of “ethical and dignified behavior” and revoked the “star campaigner” status of Kamal Nath. The Kamal Nath government was brought down earlier this year in March, after 22 congress MLAs defected from the party, tendering their resignation from the state assembly, following the resignation of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Congress Party. In order to return to power, the Congress will have to win all 28 seats. The BJP, on the other hand, will retain the state if it wins nine seats as that would make the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member Assembly.