MP bypolls: Kamal Nath moves SC against EC's decision to revoke his 'star campaigner' status

NEW DELHI: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Saturday moved Supreme Court against

the Election Commission

's decision to revoke his 'star campaigner' status in Madhya Pradesh bypolls.


"The senior Congress leader has challenged the ECI's decision on various grounds and an urgent hearing on the plea would be sought," lawyer

Vivek Tankha

told PTI.

EC on Friday had revoked the star campaigner status of the Congress leader citing repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct while campaigning for the bypolls in 28 assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh.


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."



"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 order said.

The election commission's move comes after Kamal Nath's remark against a BJP candidate Imarti Devi where he called her an "item" while addressing a poll rally.

Voting on 28 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh bypolls will take place on November 3 and the results will be declared on November 10. By-elections are being conducted following the resignation of 25 MLAs and the death of three legislators earlier.

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