Chennai: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and State Congress committee president Kamal Nath courted controversy during the bypolls campaign on Sunday when he referred to a woman Minister as an ‘item’.
The ruling BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission over Nathās remark, saying that it insulted the woman leader. The Congress has, meanwhile, said Nath did not name the BJP leader.
Addressing a gathering in Dabra in support of Congress candidate Suresh Raje, the former CM said Raje is a simple man who will carry out development work ‘unlike herā¦’.
“Ye unke jaise nahi haiā¦ kya hai uska naamā (He is not like her, what is her name),” Nath asked the crowd which responded by saying BJP candidate Imarti Deviās name.
“You know her better than I do, you people should have warned me beforehandā¦ ye kya item haiā¦ kya item hai,” said Nath.
“Suresh Raje and I will work together for the development of Gwalior-Chambal region, we will work for the youth of this region and chalk out a new policy for the farmers,” he added.
BJP leaders took no time to condemn Nath’s remarks. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also reacted sharply saying the remarks have exposed the feudal mentality of the Congress leader. He should withdraw his remarks and apologise to Imarti Devi, he said.