SC stays ECI order revoking Kamal Nath’s status as Congress’s star campaigner; questions Commission’s power to delist a campaigner

The Supreme Court Monday stayed an order issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) revoking Kamal Nath's status as the star campaigner of the Congress party for the by-elections in Madhya Pradesh

"We are staying the Election Commission's order and the EC has no power," said Chief Justice of India SA Bobde.

"Who has given power to you (the ECI) to remove a candidate from the star campaigner list? It is you or a leader of the party?" Chief Justice Bobde asked while hearing a petition filed by the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister challenging the EC's decision revoking his status as a star campaigner.

The ECI, in response, said it would file its reply at the earliest.

The bench which also comprised Justices A S Bopana and V. Ramasubramanian, issued notice to the ECI and adjourned the hearing.

On October 30, the ECI revoked Kamal Nath's status as star campaigner over what it alleged were a repeated breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Challenging the decision of the ECI, Kamal Nath said it was right of the party to nominate a person as a star campaigner and the Election Commission could not interfere with the party decision.