Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show cause notice to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The ECI deemed Gangopadhyay's comments "improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of the term, in bad taste" and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and its advisory dated March 1, 2024.
The notice requires Gangopadhyay to explain by 17:00 hrs on May 20, 2024 why action should not be taken against him. Failing to respond will result in the ECI proceeding without further reference to him. "In the event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you," the ECI stated.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced on Thursday showing Gangopadhyay allegedly questioning "the amount at which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is getting sold." This sparked outrage from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), who labelled the remarks as "vulgar and objectionable."
Speaking to news agency ANI, Abhijit Gangopadhyay said, "I will reply to the notice. I have not said anything wrong for Mamata Banerjee."
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: TMC Demands Ban On Abhijit Gangopadhyay From Poll Activities
In a complaint to the EC, the TMC demanded a ban on Gangopadhyay's participation in election activities and criminal proceedings against him. The party asserted that his comments violated the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the MCC. The TMC shared a copy of their letter to the Chief Electoral Officer on social media platform X, condemning the remarks and calling for strict action.
"His vulgar and uncouth remarks are a clear violation of the provisions of IPC and MCC and we demand that: Criminal proceedings be initiated against Abhijit Gangopadhyay. A complete ban be imposed on him from participating in election-related activities. An order be issued restraining him and other BJP leaders from making such objectionable remarks," the TMC stated.
In another post, the TMC criticised Gangopadhyay's language, highlighting the disrespect towards the only female Chief Minister in India. "What's your price?" That's the repulsive language coming from Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former justice and BJP MP candidate, aimed at our Jononetri, Smt. @MamataOfficial. @DrShashiPanja condemned this appalling behaviour," the party posted on X. ALSO READ | TMC Writes To EC Against BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay Over 'What's Your Price' Remark Against Bengal CM Mamata
TMC leader and West Bengal minister Shashi Panja also criticised Gangopadhyay, accusing him of crossing all limits of decency. "Gangopadhyay, who is a former judge of the Calcutta High Court, has crossed all limits of decency by making sexist remarks against Banerjee," Panja said, as quoted by PTI.
Panja further added, "The remarks made by Gangopadhyay smacks of his anti-women traits. This shows that the politics of the BJP has reached a nadir. The remarks made by the BJP candidate of Tamluk are sexist in nature and his candidature must be cancelled."
The BJP has raised doubts about the authenticity of the video, as reported by PTI.