The Supreme Court on Monday put a hold on the Election Commission of India’s order to remove the star campaigner status of Congress leader, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, news agency ANI reported. 

The former Madhya Pradesh CM had moved to the apex court on Saturday a day after the ECI revoked Nath’s “star campaigner” status. The EC on Friday said that Nath violated the model code during the campaign for the by polls in 28 assembly constituencies in the state.

Nath had challenged  EC’s decision on various grounds, Senior lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha had told PTI on Saturday. 

According to PTI, the ECI said, “For repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct and for completely disregarding the advisory issued to him, the Commission hereby revokes the status of leader of political party (Star Campaigner) of Kamal Nath, Ex-Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect for the current Bye-elections of Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh.”

28 assembly constituencies are going to by polls in Madhya Pradesh on November 3.

The ECI issued notice to Nath on Wednesday over “item” remark for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Imarti Devi.

The comments, for which Nath later expressed regret, have prompted widespread criticism as BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jyotiraditya Scindia, have slammed the Congress leader over the same.