EC censures BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former HC judge, over undignified remarks on Mamata Banerjee
EC censures BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former HC judge, over undignified remarks on Mamata Banerjee
Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former judge of the Calcutta High Court who is contesting Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket, was prohibited from campaigning for 24 hours on Tuesday by the Election Commission (EC) for making disparaging statements against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during an election rally.
His remarks, according to the Election Commission of India, violate the Model Code of Conduct, hence the ban will be in place from Tuesday (May 21) at 50 pm until Wednesday at 5 pm.
The Election Commission took action following a complaint from the Trinamool Congress on Gangopadhyay's statements made against Banerjee at a public gathering in Haldia on May 15.
The poll panel's decision also came a day after Gangopadhyay, BJP candidate for Tamluk Lok Sabha seat, replied to the Election Commission's show-cause notice about his "undignified" statement directed at Banerjee. The survey panel considered the statements to be "improper, injudicious, and undignified," implying a breach of the Model Code of Conduct.
"The Commission...finds Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay's statement a direct affront on the "erosion of status of women in India"; such statement that is outrightly condemnable when used in respect of any woman, not to speak of a senior political leader and holder of a constitutional position," ECI said.
“The Commission painfully notes that fact that such abominable words have come from someone of Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay's educational and professional background and hence does not remotely deserve any benefit of doubt,” it added.
What did Abhijit Gangopadhyay say?
At a public assembly in Haldia on May 15, Gangopadhyay said in Bengali, "Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is Rs10 lakh; why? Because you are having your makeup done by Keya Seth. Mamata Banerjee: is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes."
How did BJP respond to Election Commission's 24-hour ban?
In response, BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya stated that the Election Commission is conducting the election to guarantee that it is free, fair, and peaceful. “The poll panel has decided after feeling that Gangopadhyay’s comment was in bad taste and has hurt people’s sentiments. But the TMC has tried to misinterpret his comments. He is a dignified person and has fought for people’s rights,” he said.