ECI Notice to Abhijit Gangopadhyay for Derogatory Remarks against Mamata Banerjee
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, May 17: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued a show cause notice to judge-turned-politician Abhijit Gangopadhyay, the BJP candidate for the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, for his alleged derogatory remarks against the chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.
A complaint filed by the TMC said Gangopadhyay, who joined the BJP a day after he resigned as a judge of the Calcutta High Court in March and was named the party candidate, reportedly made sexist comments about Mamata Banerjee during an election meeting in Haldia.
The poll panel found Gangopadhyay’s remarks in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and an ECI advisory. The commission described the comments as “improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of term and in bad taste” and asked Gangopadhyay to respond by 5 PM on May 20.
The TMC complained to the ECI alleging that Gangopadhyay made objectionable remark on Mamata Banerjee’s appearance and questioning her gender. “Mr Gangopadhyay has made certain highly offensive utterances, being: ‘… (English Transcription), ‘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,” the TMC had said in a complaint to ECI. Keya Seth is a well-known Bengal-based beautician.
Gangopadhyay has not commented on the controversy, while BJP insisted that the video was fake. “The video is fake. This is a ploy by TMC. It releases fake videos to malign BJP although such tactics won’t have any effect on the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections,” said Bengal BJP’s chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya.
“You are hereby called upon to show cause by 17.00 hrs of 20.05.2024 as to why appropriate action for violation of Model Code of Conduct should not be taken against you,” stated the ECI notice.
The remarks by the BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from the Tamluk seat were made at a public meeting in Haldia district on Wednesday, and were made public after a video emerged online a day later. The comments – condemned as sexist – prompted the Trinamool to file a complaint with the top poll panel, accusing the former judge – with whom the party has had several run-ins – of making “misogynistic” comments.
In a letter to the EC, the Trinamool hit out at the “very shameful and egregious statement” made by the BJP leader and alleged that comments showed the Tamluk candidate’s “misogynistic mindset.” “Mr Gangopadhyay’s vulgar and uncouth remark(s)/comment(s) are completely beyond the grounds of decency and morality. They not only lack decorum but also exhibit a blatant disregard of the only lady Chief Minister, Smt. Mamata Banerjee,” the letter read.
The letter also alleged that BJP candidates were making “indecorous and degrading statements” against women to garner votes. The TMC demanded that the poll body issue orders to initiate criminal proceedings against Mr Gangopadhyay and ban him from attending public meetings or rallies. The letter also sought directions to be issued to BJP candidates, barring them from making “personal, objectionable and disgraceful” remarks. Voting for the Tamluk seat is scheduled on May 25.
The purported video triggered a row on Thursday after the Trinamool Congress alleged that the clip was another example of BJP’s “anti-women” stance amid the Sandeshkhali row. In a press conference, Trinamool leader and West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said the party will take legal action against Mr Gangopadhyay. “He is a candidate and a former judge. He must be aware of the legal matters than most of us. Can a candidate use such words?” she asked.
