Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday disapproved Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath’s “item” remark against Minister Imarti Devi, reported PTI.

Gandhi, who is on a three day visit to Kerala, told reporters, “One cannot treat women with disrespect. Kamalnath ji is from my party. But I don’t personally like that type of language that Kamalnath ji has used. I do not appreciate it. It is unfortunate.”

Gandhi added that a lot needed to be improved with regard to treatment of women in the country be it basic respect, space accorded to them in business, in government and other areas. He said, “Our women are our pride. They should be protected and I don’t appreciate this type of language.”

Kamal Nath, while addressing a campaign meeting on Sunday for the November 3 by-election to Madhya Pradesh assembly from Dabra constituency, where the BJP has fielded Imarti Devi, said that the Congress candidate was a “simple person” unlike his opponent who was an “item”.

The comment triggered an outrage with BJP leaders, led by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who staged protests against Kamal Nath. Chouhan also wrote to Congress president Sonia Gandhi asking her to condemn Nath’s remarks and remove him from all party posts.