Regret if my comment hurt someone: Congress leader Kamal Nath on ‘item’ jibe for Imarti Devi

Regret if my comment hurt someone: Congress leader Kamal Nath on ‘item’ jibe for Imarti Devi

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A day after his remarks on BJP leader Imarti Devi sparked controversy, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath said he is regretful if anyone found his comments objectionable.

Kamal Nath said, “If anyone found my remarks disrespectful, I express my regret.”

Speaking to reporters today Kamal Nath said, “The BJP has realised they are not just being defeated, they are being decimated. That’s why they are trying to distract people from the real issues people have due to their 15 years of rule. They can say what they want but I will not let them succeed.”

Defending his remarks, Kamal Nath alleged that the BJP is trying to distract people from the real issues. “They say I made a disrespectful comment. Which comment? I respect women. If anyone thinks this is disrespectful then I express my regret,” he said.

KAMAL NATH’S ‘ITEM’ REMARKS LAND CONGRESS IN SOUP

Congress leader Kamal Nath kicked up a row after making derogatory comments on a woman candidate during a poll rally in Madhya Pradesh.

Addressing a poll meeting on Sunday in Gwalior’s Dabra town where the BJP has fielded Imarti Devi, Kamal Nath said the Congress candidate was a “simple person” unlike the opponent who was an “item”.

Imarti Devi and 21 other MLAs loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia had resigned from the Congress and the state assembly and joined the BJP in March, in the process bringing down the Nath government.

His remark sparked outrage, with the BJP slamming him for making objectionable comments about a Dalit woman.

BJP HITS OUT AT KAMAL NATH OVER JIBE

Hitting back, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took to Twitter to say “Imarti Devi is the daughter of a poor farmer” who rose to become a public servant after starting off as a village labourer.

By referring to a woman as “item”, the Congress and its and leadership have revealed its “feudal mindset”, Chouhan tweeted further.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and other party leaders sat on a two-hour silent fast on Monday to protest against Kamal Nath’s “item” remark.

NATH DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO RESPECT HARIJAN WOMEN: IMARTI DEVI

Madhya Pradesh minister Imarti Devi on Monday hit back at state Congress chief Kamal Nath for his “item” jibe, saying he did not know how to respect a Dalit woman and had lost his mind after losing the chief minister’s post.

Speaking to reporters at Dabra, Devi said, “He (Nath) does not know how to speak decently. He belongs to Bengal and is not from Madhya Pradesh. What does he know about respecting a Harijan (Dalit) woman? Nath went mad after resigning as chief minister and he can say anything.”

Meanwhile, a video purportedly showing Devi breaking down while talking about Nath’s remarks to a news channel went viral of social media.

NCW DEMANDS EXPLANATION

The National Commission for Women on Monday sought an explanation from Kamal Nath for his “item” jibe against state minister Imarti Devi.

The NCW has also forwarded the matter to the Election Commission for necessary action.

“At a time when we want more women to enter politics, such disrespectful remarks against a woman leader, that too from a person holding such a responsible position is very unfortunate,” it noted.

EC SEEKS DETAILED REPORT

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has also sought a “detailed report” from the chief electoral officer of Madhya Pradesh on Kamal Nath’s remarks.

“Based on the report received from the chief electoral officer of MP, we have asked for a detailed report. It would be with the Commission on Tuesday. Based on it, the Commission would take a view,” said a senior EC functionary.

Bypolls to 28 Madhya Pradesh assembly seats will be held on November 3 and the counting of votes will take place on November 10.

(with inputs from PTI)





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