Citing repeated poll code breach, EC revokes Kamal Nath’s star campaigner status

The EC had earlier said that Congress leader Kamal Nath, by referring to BJP leader Imarti Devi as an “item”, had violated the Model Code of Conduct and advised him to not use such words during his campaign for the state bypolls.

Kamal Nath said the commission then accorded him a hearing before passing orders on October 26, “advising” him not to use such words during campaigning.

The Election Commission (EC) on Friday revoked Madhya Pradesh Congress chief and former CM Kamal Nath’s “star campaigner” status for the upcoming bypolls in the state, citing repeated violations of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The EC said it has taken action against the Congress leader over his remark calling CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan “mafia” and “milawat khor” on October 13. The Commission had earlier warned him on October 26 for calling BJP candidate Imarti Devi an “item” while campaigning for a Congress candidate.

In an order issued on Friday, the Commission said, “…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 Bye-elections of Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh.”

Explained

Who is a star campaigner

A star campaigner is a prominent leader of a political party who canvasses for party candidates in an election. The expenditure incurred on gatherings and rallies addressed by star campaigners is exempt from being added to the expenditure account of a candidate. In view of the pandemic, the EC has reduced the number of star campaigners. Now, national and state parties can field 30 star campaigners, as opposed to 40 earlier. Unrecognised parties can have 15 star campaigners, down from 20.

“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,” the EC said.

On Friday, the EC also said the “chunnu-munnu” remarks made by BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya against Congress’s Digvijaya Singh and Nath were in violation of the poll code provisions and advised Vijayvargiya not to use “any such word” in his public utterances.

The Commission had issued a notice to the BJP leader on October 26 seeking his reply.

The EC has also issued a notice to Girraj Dandotiya, BJP candidate from Dimani assembly seat, for making objectionable remarks against Nath.

Bypolls to 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly seats will be held on November 3.

The Congress Friday said it will move the Supreme Court against the EC decision, PTI reported.

First uploaded on: 30-10-2020 at 17:53 IST

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