An unsavoury remark on a woman BJP Minister by former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath has kicked a political storm in the central state where crucial bypolls are approaching.

During a campaign rally in Gwalior's Dabra constituency on Sunday, Kamal Nath, without mentioning Cabinet Minister Imarti Devi's name, said: "Our candidates are straightforward in nature, not like her, what is her name (the crowd replied 'Imarti Devi')... why should I even take her name? What an item!"

Kamal Nath
Kamal Nath

Imarti Devi, who was earlier in the Congress, is now a Cabinet Minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh government.

BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit President Vishnu Dutt Sharma said: "On the second day of Navratri, Kamal Nath has insulted the women power by calling a woman an item. The people of the state will respond to it."

 Shivraj Singh Chouhan starts Maun Vrat 

Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today declared a "silent protest" over former Chief Minister Kamal Nath's "item" remark against a woman Congress leader who switched over to the BJP. Mr Chauhan said he would observe a two-hour "Maun Vrat" as "penance for Kamal Nath's act" in state capital Bhopal.

By-elections are scheduled to be held in 28 seats in Madhya Pradesh on November 3.