New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (EC) on Friday issued a show-cause notice to Abhijit Gangopadhyay, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency, for his “improper, injudicious, and undignified” remarks against Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The EC found Gangopadhyay’s comments to be “improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of the term, in bad taste,” and prima facie in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and its advisory to political parties dated March 1, 2024. Gangopadhyay has been asked to respond by 5 PM on May 20.
Earlier today, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) lodged a complaint with the EC against Gangopadhyay, a former judge of the Calcutta High Court, alleging that he made “sexist” remarks against Mamata Banerjee at a public rally. According to a letter from TMC leader Derek O’Brien to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Gangopadhyay said in his May 15 speech in Haldia, “Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is 10 lakhs. Why? Because you’re getting your make-up done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes.”
O’Brien’s letter stated, “This clearly shows the misogynist conduct of the BJP candidate. It is unfortunate that having held a prominent position in the judiciary, he has chosen to attack the dignity of women, especially one who holds a position of power.”
The TMC demanded that the office of the CEO issue orders to initiate criminal proceedings against Gangopadhyay and impose a complete ban on him from attending any public meetings, processions, or rallies, and restrain him and other BJP candidates from making any personal or disgraceful remarks.
Voting for the Tamluk seat in West Bengal will be held on May 25 in the sixth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The votes for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be counted on June 4.
