Union Min Smriti Irani dismayed at Kamal Nath's 'item' jibe, questions silence of Gandhis

Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani on Monday lashed out at the Gandhi family for remaining silent on ex-CM Kamal Nath's sexist jibe at Imarti Devi. Addressing a rally in Dabra while campaigning for the Madhya Pradesh by-elections, Nath had referred to MP Minister and BJP candidate Imarti Devi as an "item". Maintaining that there was no justification for using such derogatory language for a woman leader, she alleged that Nath and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh were habitual offenders. According to her, the Congress party was unlikely to take any action against the MP Congress president owing to his closeness to the Gandhi family. 

On October 18, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath remarked, "Suresh Raje is our candidate. He is a simple person. He is not like her. Why should I even take her name? You know her better than me. I should have warned you in advance. She is such an item."

Read: Digvijaya Singh Dubs Congress-turned-BJP Ex-MLAs As 'traitors', Appeals To Voters

BJP leaders observe silent protest

In a strong signal to the Congress leadership, MP CM Shivraj Chouhan and other top BJP leaders observed a two-hour silent protest in Bhopal against Kamal Nath's sexist remarks. Observing that the 'item' comment was tantamount to disrespecting all women, Chouhan argued that the former CM had crossed all limits of shamelessness. In a letter addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he urged her to strongly condemn Nath's statement and immediately remove him from all party posts. The MP CM added that her inaction shall be construed as support for the 'item' remark. 

Read: BJP Minister Imarti Devi Asks Sonia Gandhi To Expel Kamal Nath Over 'item' Jibe

MP by-elections

The Election Commission of India announced by-election in 28 MP Assembly constituencies- Joura, Sumawali, Morena, Dimani, Ambah, Mehgaon, Gohad, Gwalior, Gwalior East, Dabra, Bhander, Karera, Pohari, Bamori, Ashok Nagar, Mungaoli, Surkhi, Malhara, Anuppur, Sanchi, Biaora, Agar, Hatpipliya, Mandhata, Nepanagar, Badnawar, Sanwer and Suwasra. While the bypolls were necessitated in 25 seats due to the resignation of Congress MLAs, three other constituencies will also go to the polls as the respective sitting legislators passed away. To retain the power in MP, BJP needs to win only 9 out of the 28 seats. The counting of votes is scheduled for November 10.

Read: 'We Are All Item': Kamal Nath & Congress Unapologetic Over Sexist Slur Against Imarti Devi