The Election Commission said Kamal Nath repeatedly violated the Model Code of Conduct.
In a big setback for the Congress ahead of the by-election in Madhya Pradesh, the Election Commission of India on Friday revoked the 'star campaigner' status of senior party leader and former chief minister Kamal Nath. The bypolls to 28 seats in Madhya Pradesh is scheduled to take place on November 3.
The central poll body said that the action was taken due to Nath's repeated violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
"If any campaign is done by Kamal Nath from now onwards, the entire expenditure will be borne by the candidate in whose constituency campaign is being undertaken," the Election Commission said.
Meanwhile, the Congress has said it will move court against Election Commission's decision.
The Election Commission had taken strong objection to Kamal Nath using the word 'item' against BJP candidate Imarti Devi. The senior Congress leader's remark had triggered outrage with state CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan staging protest against him.
Earlier in the day, the commission also reprimanded BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya. The poll body said the “chunnu-munnu” remarks made by Vijayvargiya against Congress’ Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath were in violation of the poll code provisions and advised the senior BJP leader not to use “any such word” in his public utterances during the model code period.
