NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesay issued a notice to former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath over his 'item' remark against state minister Imarti Devi.
The poll body has sought his response within 48 hours of receipt of notice.
Last week, Nath had referred to Imarti Devi as an "item" at an election meeting in the Dabra (scheduled caste) assembly constituency in Gwalior district.
"Suresh Raje ji hamare ummeedvar hai...yeh uske jaise nah hai...kya hai uska naam ... main kya uska naam lun? ...apko toh mujhe pehle savdhan karna chahiye tha ... yeh kya item hai... (Our candidate is not like her... what's her name? You know her better and should have warned me earlier... What an item!), Kamal Nath said in Hindi while the crowd called out Imarti Devi's name.
The remark had invited widespread criticism from all circles, with CM Shivraj Chauhan, BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and other party leaders holding a two hour "silent" protest against Kamala Nath.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also criticised Kamal Nath's statement, saying "Kamal Nath ji is from my party but personally, I don't like the type of language that he used...I don't appreciate it, regardless of who he is. It is unfortunate."