Use of 'item' violates advisory:EC pulls up Kamal Nath, advises him not to use such a word

In a big development, Election Commission of India on Monday ruled that Kamal Nath h violated its visory by describing BJP's Imarti Devi as "item". Dated April 29, 2019, visory re, "political parties and candidates to refrain from any deeds/actions/utterances that may be construed as being repugnant to hour and dignity of women". Moreover, it vised him to t use any such word or statement while making public utterances during period of Model Code of Conduct.

On receiving complaints by BJP and chairperson of National Commission for Women, EC h sought a report from MP Chief Electoral Officer. After examining video clip and transcript of his speech at Dabra, it held that 'item' remark was in violation of Model Code of Conduct. reafter, it issued a tice to ex-Mhya Presh CM on October 21 directing him to provide an explanation for his sexist 'item' jibe. 

'Item' remark sparks row

dressing a rally in Dabra on October 18 while campaigning for Mhya Presh by-elections, Nath h referred to MP Minister and BJP candidate Imarti Devi as an 'item'. He said, "Suresh Raje is our candidate. He is a simple person. He is t like her. Why should I even take her name? You kw her better than me. I should have warned you in vance. She is such an item". While Kamal Nath expressed a conditional apology following a considerable uproar from Imarti Devi and BJP leers, he claimed that word 'item' was commonly used in Parliament and state legislatures. 

In his reply submitted to tice by EC, senior Congress leer contended that context of his 'item' jibe was completely misunderstood. Alleging that complaint was an "election driven narrative" of BJP, he stated that re was ill will and malice during his speech at Dabra on October 18. According to him, BJP wanted to deflect attention from discourse of unethical defection resulting in fall of his government.

Maintaining that re was neir any premeditation r design to dishour a woman, senior Congress leer claimed that his remarks were an "monition of political scenario which is replete with drama". Furrmore, Nath put on record that he expressed regret for his comment on next day itself, i.e October 19. Showcasing his efforts to ensure women safety, he recalled that Congress government h initiated 'Safe City Programme' in all major cities of Mhya Presh.

Re: List Of Mhya Presh Postal Ballot Voters t Provided To Parties: Kamal Nath