After being stripped off the "star campaigner" status, Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Saturday, October 31 said he will approach the Supreme court and challenge the Election Commission's decision. Violations of the model code of conduct during the campaign for the by-polls in 28 assembly constituencies in the state by Kamal Nath had forced the Election Commission to take this step.
While speaking to the media, Kamal Nath said, “Star campaigner is neither a post nor a status. I don't want to comment on EC's decision, will comment only after November 10.”
Kamal Nath further said that what matters most is the view of the public as “they know everything”.
According to Senior lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha, the Congress leader has challenged the ECI's decision on various grounds and an urgent hearing on the plea would be sought.
The poll panel came across the alleged breach of "ethical and dignified behaviour" on Friday and revoked the "star campaigner" status of the senior Congress leader.
The Election Commission had on several occasions observed violation of the model code of conduct by Kamal Nath after which a response was sought from the senior Congress leader. Though Nath replied, the EC found the argument “unsatisfactory".
Thereafter, the election body decided to revoke Nath’s star campaigner status.
"If any campaign is done by Kamal Nath from now onwards, the entire expenditure will be borne by the candidate in whose constituency the campaign is being undertaken," the Election Commission said in its order.
Kamal Nath was recently in the eye of the storm for making a comment against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Imarti Devi. Nath had called Imarti Devi and "item" after which there was serious backlash and the Election Commission of India had sent a notice to the Congress leader seeking an explanation.