Ahead of the bypolls for 28 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Kamal Nath's use of 'item' word for Madhya Pradesh Minister and Dalit leader Imarti Devi has generated political heat and led to condemnation by opposition leaders.
Former Madhya Pradesh CM & Congress leader Kamal Nath on Monday clarified and said,"I said something, it wasn't to insult anyone... I just didn't remember the (person's) name...this list (in his hand) says item no.1, item no.2, is this an insult? Shivraj is looking for excuses, Kamal Nath doesn't insult anyone, he'll only expose you with truth"
While campaigning in Dabra segment in Gwalior district on Sunday, Kamal Nath had said,"Our candidate is not like her... what's her name? (people shout Imarti Devi, who is former State Minister) You know her better and should have warned me earlier... ye kya item hai"
Kamal Nath added that, earlier I did use the word 'item', but it is not an insulting word. I am also an item, you are also an item. In this sense, we all are items. During legislative proceedings, we use words like 'item numbers'. When the state's people are in a pathetic condition, the BJP instead of wiping their tears is making an issue out of consumption of a beverage by me. Is it a public issue? Are the people's lives connected with this?"